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foerodens · 9 months

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Back to waterfalls. I think this one is part of the Allerheiligen Waterfall, one of the beautiful falls in the Black Forest in Germany.

Photo: Foe Rodens

The photo is available in my Society6 shop.

#foe rodens photography #landscape photography #foe rodens #Schwarzwald #Black Forest #Waterfall #waterfall lovers #waterfall photography #waterfalls #baden württemberg #Germany #German landscape #Landschaft #naturelover #naturelovers #naturephotography

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foedhrass · 11 months

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It’s been a while since I’ve drawn a character from Middle-earth, and it took me a while to finish this one, but finally I tackled something I wanted to draw for quite some time: my favourite character, Fingolfin before his fateful decision to challenge Morgoth to a duel - which is my favourite scene from the Silmarillion with one of my favourite quotes.

“Thus he came alone to Angband’s gates, and he sounded his horn, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. And Morgoth came.”

That “And Morgoth came” is so simple yet so powerful because it just emanates the doom that follows.

I originally wanted to draw that scene but then I found a reference image of a kneeling knight so it turned out the silent moment of contemplation before the doom: “Then Fingolfin beheld (as it seemed to him) the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond redress of all their houses…”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion

🎨: Foe Rodens

#fingolfin #Nolofinwe #tolkien #silmarillion #silmart #silmarillion art #tolkien art #tolkien fanart #Middle earth art #And Morgoth came #Tolkienart #Fanart #the silmarillion #lotr fanart #procreate #digital artist #digital painting #digital art

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enchanted-prose · 4 years

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#8 Just a Day in the Life

100th post = returning from teeny tiny hiatus! Special thank you to my darling editor, and @ piratekingimogen for screaming about the lack of Jarogen fluff in the fandom with me!

Word count: 5,295

Characters: Jaron, Princess Amarinda, Feall (Original Character), King Oberson (Original Character), Harlowe, Imogen

Notes: Expect a few fluffy fics hurtling towards you, please consult your dentist if you develop cavities bc it’s too sweet and it happened to me. Edited

Enjoy!

Jaron drummed his fingers against his right leg.

The leg he'd broken.

Sometimes he touched it to make sure that it was still healed. Even though it had been years since he'd gotten the injury, he still had trouble realizing that he was alright.

He wasn't broken.

Lord Feall and King Oberson were seated in front of him, separated by Jaron's large desk. Both men were silent. Both were unable to look at Jaron for very long.

In a way, Jaron enjoyed watching them squirm, they'd crossed a line by not telling him about Queen Danika's missing investigators sooner.

Was this how Mott felt each time Jaron did something he wasn't supposed to and got himself caught?

"Your Majesty, we-," Oberson began, but he shook his head. "I'm sorry."

"We'll discuss the situation when the ambassador arrives," said Jaron.

However, Feall didn't agree with Jaron's declaration, it seemed. "If I must be honest, we don't even know the situation anymore."

"Lady Amarinda does, and we'll wait for her to come before we make any assumptions, Lord Feall. I'm a little disappointed, I thought we were friendly enough to discuss political matters."

Feall frowned, and didn't respond.

Boredom was turning Jaron's feet to stone. He hated being bored. There was too much to do and too much to see.

And it was raining still.

He promised Fink they'd go out and hunt for frogs to terrorize Roden with.

The door to Jaron's study creaked open, and in walked Amarinda in a wide-necked blue gown. Her hair was strung up in a golden net. There wasn't any sign of a frown on her face. She dipped her head in greeting when Jaron, Feall, and Oberson stood up.

"My lords," she smiled. "I've brought several papers with me if you'd much rather read my words rather than listen to what I have to say."

"Please, start from the beginning. Reading wastes time," Jaron waved his hand in a dismissing motion. He was joking, of course.

Oberson shrunk in his seat with his head in his hands, but aside from his posture, didn't voice any complaint about listening to Amarinda's debrief.

There were some people who could dominate their foes on the battlefield. Others could crush their enemies without shedding a drop of blood. They could outwit their opponents with words.

Amarinda was a battle master when it came to using words for weapons. She never degraded her opponents with crude words. Never compared people to dehumanizing objects. She recognized that while people didn't agree with her, they were still human beings.

This was how she guided her foes into a corner, their only option being to take her hand and join her cause.

Her goal was not to destroy. Her goal was to create, that's what Tobias claimed.

And he was right.

Amarinda created gateways for better ideals.

Jaron caught himself grinning as he prepared for what Amarinda had to say.

She clasped her hands behind her back. "Gentlemen, we share a home country. One we take pride in. We've given many privileges to those who prove themselves to be just servants of society, but unfortunately, there was an abuse of power several years ago. I know you are aware of what happened on Idunn Craich to Noble House Thay. Rumors were sparked and an entire family was executed without a proper trial.

"Though Their Majesties Queen Danika and King Norman don't condone chasing every rumor they hear, they've made an exception. They were informed that Mireldis Thay, who would've been a child during her house's execution, managed to escape into Carthya. Many of the most skilled researchers and investigators were sent to Carthya to confirm these rumors. Their goal was to find evidence supporting Thay's innocence, and bring her home.They were stopped on their way here for several days, and during that time, I was informed that you King Oberson, went out of your way to visit them without informing the Carthyan Crown that they'd arrived," Amarinda held her head high, almost challenging Oberson to deny her claims.

He didn't, not couldn't he.

Many people had seen him ride out to meet with Danika's representatives.

A heavy pause hung over the air. Both Jaron and Amarinda were waiting for either men to try to deny her claims.

When they didn't speak, Jaron nodded. It was his turn to continue the conversation.

"Lord Feall, I was told by my captain of the guard that the investigators who were sent here were, in actuality, trying to find evidence against Thay, and that you were promoting the search in defiance of Queen Danika's orders, is this true?" Jaron kept his gaze steady, looking for any flaws in Feall's face that would betray him.

Another heavy pause.

Feall didn't squirm, and he looked at Jaron with a fierce, burning loyalty in his eyes. "King Jaron, I did request that the investigators search for evidence against Thay as well."

He fell silent.

Probably waiting for Jaron to condemn him.

However, Jaron was intrigued. He appreciated Feall's honesty. It was something that didn't come often within circles of power. Jaron motioned for Feall to continue.

"I felt a duty to ensure justice," Feall remained stoic. "While I do believe that Thay is innocent, I don't agree with only playing one side. Without considering if House Thay was really guilty, it is possible that Queen Danika's quest for reparations will bring disaster upon Bymar. Thay would likely take revenge, and as a servant to my country and to yours, I will not allow that to happen."

Amarinda's face darkened, but only for a moment. If Jaron hadn't known her so well, he would've missed her momentary weakness.

Though he wanted to support his friend, Jaron couldn't deny that Feall had a perfectly good point.

People weren't black and white.

Too much mystery shrouded what happened with House Thay.

"Do you have any reason to believe that Thay would cause harm?" asked Jaron as he tapped his chin.

Perhaps he should grow a small beard. People might take him more seriously if he stroked his beard each time he was about to say something. Many regents tried to do that, usually it was right before they did their best to be an advisor to Jaron.

If you were going to act the part, you needed to look the part.

To Jaron's surprise, it was Oberson who answered the question, and not Feall. The portly king withdrew a letter from within his coat. "The seal belongs to Thay, and you- and you can read what she wrote yourself. It was sent to me, but it- but it is clearly directed at Lord Feall."

Jaron beckoned for the letter.

The words had been written in jet black ink, and the paper was much cleaner than Jaron would've expected. The curling letters obviously belonged to a woman.

Several words had been misspelled:

King Obrson, I understand you've travelled with lord Feall. you know how much he owes me, and I reqest that you give him to me. if you comply, I promise I wont bother you again. please understand my perspective on this, you know me, sir, you know my family

So, Feall did indeed have a good reason to think that Thay was guilty.

"What would you do with Thay if you found her?" Amarinda kept a calm demeanor.

"I would return her to Queen Danika," Feall explained "Unless, however, she attacks me outright. In which case I would have jurisdiction to decide her fate. An eye for an eye."

"Those laws may work in Bymar, but that's not how we do things here."

"Then, by all means, my lady, I would try to go through with Carthya's judicial process."

Unlike other countries, Jaron didn't enjoy upholding the notion that for every crime committed, you could commit the same in return. Instead, he'd tried to emulate Mendenwal's way of enforcing justice: a vote by a body of people. Typically, two options were given, usually suggested by those who'd been the victim of the crime and the other given by the king.

Death penalties for crimes had to be completely unanimous.

"Do you think that Thay is trying to attack you still?" Amarinda asked, her hands clasped behind her back once again.

Both Feall and Oberson nodded.

"Which explains why he's looking for the Faola," nodded Jaron.

"Captain Harlowe informed me that the Faola only began traipsing through Carthya a few days before King Oberson and I arrived."

"This doesn't excuse the fact that you didn't tell us that you lied to me and Lady Amarinda about Queen Danika's representatives."

"And I humbly apologize for that," Feall held his hand over his heart. "If there is a way for me to prove my regret, tell me, and I will do so."

If he and Feall had been better friends, Jaron would've made a joke about the only way to prove his loyalty was by cleaning Jaron's feet, but he doubted the offer would go over well.

Jaron looked to Amarinda, wondering if she had anything in mind.

She only frowned ever so slightly.

There were many ways that Jaron could force Feall to prove his loyalty. Cruel and humiliating ways. Feall had to have known that. He had to have known the depth of his words.

He'd quite literally given Jaron power over him.

But Jaron didn't enjoy watching people endure humiliation of any sorts. He didn't think that proving loyalty should come at the expense of anyone's dignity.

A clever idea crossed Jaron's mind.

"I'd like you to continue helping Captain Harlowe in patrolling the streets of Drylliad," began Jaron, carefully masking his cleverness. "But you must leave capturing the Faola to him, as well as my friend, Mott. You must trust us to take care of the situation, and that's how I'll know that I can continue to trust you."

Feall inhaled deeply, his brows furrowing together. "Sir, I can't, what you-. No, I mean yes. I will do as you ask, your Majesty."

"Take good care to tread lightly, Lord Feall, this test also represents King Oberson."

"What?" King Oberson burst, his chubby cheeks jiggling with his ferocious outcry. "You can't do this! I need Feall to protect me!"

"You have all of Carthya's guards to keep you safe, as well as your own," Amarinda pointed out.

Several more spluttering protests escaped through Oberson's plump mouth, but eventually, he realized that no amount of begging would get Jaron to change his mind.

A victory, in a way.

Jaron was getting another capable military leader to ensure safety in his city, he'd done his best to uphold justice, and he managed to gain a better understanding about the Thay dilemma.

Unfortunately, however, he also recognized that he probably wouldn't ever understand what happened on Idunn Craich.

But perhaps Avenia's king, Kippenger, might know a little bit.

He hadn't been to Avenia in ages, and was overdue for a visit to check in on the reforming nation. Jaron made a mental note to suggest a diplomatic mission to Sparling.

Everybody could use a little change of scenery.

"Is there anything else you'd like me to do, your majesty?" Feall asked, sitting as tall as he could in his chair.

"Yes, I'd quite like it if you gave me your desserts as well. Especially the fancier ones with the tiny decorations." Jaron frowned when Amarinda snorted, as he was being completely serious.

A tiny smile flickered across Feall's face. "If that is what you wish, your Majesty."

"It is what I wish, actually."

"Then I solemnly swear to do all that I can to ensure that your wish is fulfilled. When would you like me to begin patrolling the streets? Would you prefer me to ask Captain Harlowe my questions, or would you like me to ask you?"

Ah, Jaron hadn't thought of any questions that might need answering.

"Go to Captain Harlowe," he said. "And if Captain Harlowe can't answer them, bring your questions to me. Are we clear?”

“Yes sir.”

Several days ago, Imogen’s new lady-in-waiting, Renlyn Karise, pointed out just how bland the great hall was. Of course, Jaron had taken down and sold many decorations on purpose, but Lady Renlyn’s various attempts to sell him exquisite imported decor were slowly growing on him.

No, he needed to use the royal purse to better the lives of his subjects first.

Beautification could come later.

When he settled into his throne and allowed for his first subject to come forward, Jaron fooled himself into thinking that court would be smooth and quick.

However, as he heard his forty-ninth claim about chickens, he realized that court was going to drag on into the next decade.

It was then that Jaron began wondering if he should heed Renlyn’s advice and have her decorate the great hall.

Maybe he’d have something more interesting to look at than whitewashed stone walls.

Jaron tapped his chin as he listened to complaint after complaint after complaint. He did his best to listen. Did his best to be a good king, but his patience was running out.

“We have never had a dispute between property before,” said a man from outside the city walls. He was holding a chicken, and pointing at the other villager beside him ever so often. “Always got along, me an’ him, we never did fight. Respected his property, I did, an’ he respected mine. But one day a chicken wandered through both of our yards-”

The chicken holding villager’s friend cut in. “A chicken wandered through both a’ our yards an’ then laid an egg on the line between our two properties!”

“We didn’t really worry about it because we’ve both got our chickens. It wasn’t really worth our time.”

“And then the egg hatched, it did! An’ now we don’t know what to do wif it! It’s a good layer, we’ve been tradin’ off every couple a days, but that just doesn’t cut it! We need you to decide for us!” Finished the second villager, vehemently pointing at the chicken tucked under the first villager’s arm.

“Well, I suppose that answers an age old question. What came first, the chicken, or the egg?” Jaron mused, buying himself time through a joke.

Both villagers frowned.

By the Saints, he didn’t like explaining jokes, humor always lost when it needed to be explained.

"There's a riddle people tend to ask when they want to annoy somebody," Jaron explained, sitting forwards in his throne. "They ask what came first, the chicken? Or the egg? And in this case, it was the chicken who came first. Actually, I suppose even that chicken came from an egg. What a conundrum."

"But who gets the chicken?" Asked the second villager with a frown.

"Who cares for it more?"

Both men raised their hands, trying to jostle each other out of the way. The second villager raised his hand to smack the first villager across the back of his bald head.

The first villager only tucked the chicken into his chest and ducked.

No blows were given, the second villager wasn't stupid enough to start a fight in the throne room.

"I have a proposition," said Jaron. He knew it didn't really matter, as he was the king, but he tried to involve his subjects in decision making as much as he possibly could.

"We're listening, your Majesty." The second villager bowed until his nose brushed his boots.

On the other hand, the first villager only bowed as far as he could without risking dropping the chicken.

A slight smirk crossed Jaron's face. "How many eggs does the chicken lay each day?"

"One, like the other chickens," the second villager nodded. "I checked every morning while I housed the chicken."

"Actually she lays one egg on the first day of the week, one on the second day, but she lays two on the third day if she is fed scraps from the table instead a grain," the first villager said proudly, holding the fat hen up for everyone to see.

The hen gave a tiny cluck.

"It's worse than I thought," Jaron muttered, wishing he had Mott beside him to joke with.

"You- you haven't decided who gets the chicken?" The first villager stuttered. "But-"

"He's the king, you fool, he can take as much time as he wants."

Jaron tilted his head at the first villager, who was nervously petting the chicken he cradled.

He wanted to smile with somebody. Wanted to smile about the fact that somebody loved their chicken so much that they knew how many eggs she laid every day.

If he were a cruel king, Jaron would've called for the hen to go to the kitchens, only to declare that he wasn't being serious and give the hen back to her rightful owner.

But over time, he'd learned that some tricks and pranks weren't truly funny.

"I know what's best in this situation," Jaron declared, waving the two villagers away and motioning for the next petitioner to come forward. "The man holding the chicken the same way he'd hold his newborn son gets to give her a permanent home."

He ignored the complaints from the second villager as they were escorted out of the great hall.

The next petitioner was a young man, requesting that his father be taken out of debtor's prison. Jaron, who was prepared to fight with nobles over situations with people in debt, agreed on the premise that the young man return to inform them if there was another threat from debt-collectors.

Ah, Jaron did get quite the rise out of showing kindness when the nobles had none.

Court went much quicker after that. As he thought of the first villager happily carrying his hen home, Jaron grinned.

How somebody could love a chicken so much, he didn't know.

Late into the afternoon, Harlowe made his way into the great hall, much to Jaron's relief.

He stood and clasped Harlowe's weathered hand, unashamed of how big his smile had grown. "I'm hoping you came to relieve me of my duties."

"I have, actually," Harlowe said with a grin. "Today was much busier than anybody expected, and I didn't think it quite fair to keep you cooped up inside."

"On the contrary, I didn't mind being held up here for once. It's raining with enough fury to challenge the Devils."

"Ah, but you won't let that stop you from what you wish to do with your afternoon, I hope," chuckled Harlowe, his blue eyes sparkling with a glimmer of content.

"Absolutely not." Jaron couldn't hide his smile. "My bones are aching from sitting."

"I wish I could tell you that aching goes away, but it only gets worse. No, no, I tease."

Jaron couldn't resist. He threw his arms around Harlowe's neck in a sloppy embrace. "Thank you, thank you for coming to fill in."

Harlowe patted Jaron's shoulder. "As prime regent, it's my obligation to ensure that the king can handle his duties. And as someone who cares about you, it's my obligation to make sure you don't run yourself into the ground."

It was still odd. . .

Having multiple people care about his well being.

"I really appreciate it, Harlowe, and I mean it."

"Then go, my king." That sparkling contentment in Harlowe's eyes rivaled the lazy Roving River. "Your friends await you."

Was it wrong to take pride in what he’d managed to set up?

It had taken almost all afternoon, and required the help from not only Roden and Tobias, but from Jolly, Lady Renlyn, and Mott too.

In the end, it was perfect.

For several weeks, Jaron had been meaning to take Imogen away from the hustle and bustle of castle life. Although they weren’t in a position to leave for more than a day or two, they could manage to spare a night away from their duties.

And he’d finally done it.

“Don’t tell Imogen anything,” Jaron said firmly, trying his best to stare down Lady Renlyn Karise as they stood in one of the castle hallways.

It wasn’t easy.

Lady Renlyn was taller than him by a good inch.

“I promise I won’t tell,” Renlyn crossed her arms. “But be thankful, the queen isn’t always the type to enjoy a surprise.”

“See, people say that, but then get excited when they’re surprised.”

Renlyn only stared in response.

“Mad that I got you cornered?” No, no answer from that either. Jaron waved his hands in defeat. “You’re dismissed, I don’t need you and your disapproval.”

“Disapproval?” Renlyn arched an eyebrow.

“Yes! Disapproval, you’re not exactly subtle about it, Lady Karise.”

“Good, it means I’ve finally got my point across.”

“Aren’t you in a feisty mood today?” Jaron snickered, putting his hands on his hips.

He wasn't sure what kind of reaction he wanted from Renlyn. She was remaining completely placid. “This is how I always behave, my king.”

“Is not, you’re nicer to me.”

“On the contrary, I think I’m being nicer to you now.”

He’d known the Karises before.

From his days when his family was still alive.

Jaron hadn’t been the closest to Renlyn when they were children, it’s true. She’d rather mix various ingredients together to eliminate her least favorite dolls while Jaron would rather track dirt all over the place.

In a way, it also reflected the way they handled situations at court.

Renlyn wasn’t afraid to do what needed to be done. Already the notorious gossipers of court were spreading their opinions on Renlyn’s ambition. She had but one fear: Recognition. Most of her opponents slipped away in the night, never to disturb her again.

Jaron would much rather stay away from gossipers and the like.

Made things less messy.

Unfortunately, Jaron didn’t get his retort spoken in time, as Renlyn walked away, taking the final say with her as she went to Imogen’s study.

Their exchange couldn’t bring Jaron down from the excitement searing through his veins.

Each step he took made him feel light, yet heavy. Time couldn’t pass fast enough. He was beginning to pace. To the wall. Back to where he’d stood. To the wall again. Back to where he stood. The pattern continued for what seemed like ages, but Jaron knew better than that.

The clock stationed by the door, a huge monster of wood and metal, chimed.

It was better that a few minutes passed rather than no minutes at all, Jaron reasoned.

And then Imogen quietly stepped into the room.

Dressed in a pale blue blouse with matching split skirts, Imogen couldn’t hide her smile. For a moment, Jaron suspected that Renlyn spilled the secret surprise waiting just outside the castle walls.

He offered an arm out to Imogen, escorting her through the great hall and out into the courtyard.

“I really hope there’s no crocodiles involved,” Imogen muttered as Jaron helped her into Mystic’s saddle.

Jaron cringed as comically as he could, and then swung into place right behind Imogen. “Well, ah, guess you’re not going to like what I have in store.”

Imogen’s laugh was worth all of the hassle Jaron had put into his special surprise.

The sun was barely dipping down below the horizon, throwing golden rays of light into the crisp air. A slight shimmer appeared on Imogen’s cheeks. Jaron pressed a kiss to her temple, her hair, her chin, anywhere he could reach.

She was giggling when she pushed his face away.

“Let me kiss you, silly girl,” Jaron hummed, only to once again be pushed away.

“Absolutely not, it’s embarrassing!”

“I want the entire kingdom to know how much I love my wife! It’s not embarrassing at all!”

“Yes it is!”

“No it’s not!”

“Get your filthy lips off my hair,” Imogen laughed. “I’m serious, Jaron! You’re going to run us into a-,” suppressed giggles prevented her from finishing her sentence.

“Last one, I promise.” True to his word, Jaron pressed one last kiss to Imogen’s temple, and pulled away.

Imogen leaned back against his chest. “Renlyn and I were discussing what to do with the trio of children Roden brought to us.”

“Please tell me you gave them new names.”

“We suggested it, but they didn’t seem to catch onto the idea.”

“What did you and Lady Renlyn decide? Are you going to ship them off?”

“Quite the contrary, actually,” Imogen was smiling, Jaron could hear it in her voice. “Renlyn took the subject to a business ally she has in court, and the children are to become wards here in court. We’ll be able to keep an eye on them.”

“I do love more company, maybe those three will take the spotlight off of my antics.”

“Very unlikely, but you can always hope that’ll happen.”

“Oh Imogen of such little faith.”

“Oh Jaron of such high energy.”

With a snicker, Jaron buried his face in her hair for a moment. “Copying my words now are you?”

“I suppose I am.”

“Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”

“That’s what I’ve heard,” Imogen countered. “Do you prefer that I copy everything you say? Is that what makes you happy?”

“Is that what makes me happy? No, it doesn’t.”

“Then what does?”

“Being with you.”

A blush spread across Jaron’s face despite the fact that he was the one saying silly flowering comments, not the one they were directed at.

He loved Imogen.

She was safe.

Without the company of guards, it was much easier to have a personal conversation.

Much easier for both Jaron and Imogen to just. . . be together.

“I, ah, I confronted Feall and King Oberson,” Jaron said over the sound of Mystic’s hooves on Drylliad’s cobblestone streets.

Imogen reached back, her hand trailing down the side of his face. “And what happened?”

The simple, shy gesture left warmth careening through his toes. Jaron tightened his arms around her waist. His heart pounded through his ribcage, but not with fear.

His heart pounded with pure, sunshine comfort.

Sunshine comfort that didn’t fade away with each new morning.

“I questioned them both, and made an offer to Feall. He trusts us to take care of the Faola, and I won’t expel him back to Bymar,” said Jaron. “I, ah, I’m playing this game for the long run.”

“As you should,” Imogen gestured to a group of ducklings swimming in the Roving River, then motioned for Jaron to continue.

He shrugged, “I plan on speaking with Kippenger.”

“Regarding House Thay?”

“Yes, but also no. Kippenger is my ally despite the history between us. I want to ensure his, and Avenia’s, success. I want to know if Carthya needs to send aid in any form, and if we need to, I fully intend to send the best.”

Kippenger was a new king.

There was no doubt that there were some Avenians who disagreed on Kippenger’s right to reign.

Revolution had to be brewing on their minds.

Imogen paused, connecting what Jaron said and what he was implying. “You need a backup in case you have to send Roden and military reinforcements to Avenia.”

“I don’t want to put Mott in any more danger than he puts himself in,” Jaron muttered. “Feall’s reputation is spotless. He wouldn’t be there for very long either, maybe a few weeks. And it’s-”

“Jaron, you don’t have to explain your choices. I trust your judgement.” Imogen said, but then she tilted her head, preparing to amend her statement. “I trust your judgement when it comes to people.”

“You have no idea how much that means to me.”

Though she didn’t say anything, Jaron could feel her quiet grin radiating through the air.

They rode in silence through the woods, waving at the few people they passed, and breathing in the sunset air.

And yet, despite the comfort, Jaron couldn’t fight the anxiety gnawing at his insides any longer.

What if Imogen didn’t like what he’d set out for her?

What if-

No.

If Lady Renlyn Karise, notorious stone-faced, heartless, ambitious businesswoman, liked what had been set out, Imogen certainly would.

The road curved left. Imogen only protested slightly when Jaron guided Mystic to continue straight.

“We, ah, I’m going to dismount,” Jaron stuttered. “But you can stay on, I’ll just guide Mystic.”

“I can walk,” Imogen insisted.

“If- ah, if you want to, I won’t stop you.”

He knew she’d enjoy the surprise, and yet, he was afraid.

Afraid that she wouldn’t-

No. Imogen was his wife. There was nothing to be scared of.

Nimbly, Jaron dismounted, and held out a hand for Imogen to do the same. He held Mystic’s reins with one hand, and entwined his fingers with Imogen’s with the other.

“Your palms are sweaty, Jaron. Are you alright?”

“I dipped them in the fountain before we came, they must not have dried.”

“You’re acting a little- oh.” Her face shifted from confusion, and then to shock.

Before them, Jaron had brought a ragged quilt he’d found in Tithio, boasting squares Imogen’s mother had made herself. Large pillows were scattered about in all shapes and sizes, some hidden behind additional blankets.

Plates of food rested on curling iron stands. A bucket of ice housed two large bottles of something sweet, Jaron hadn’t been able to decide what to take, so he relied on his head chef’s opinion. Candles on holders and stands were placed in clusters in strategic positions. Crystals hung from tree branches.

“I thought about bringing music, but I could only think of Jolly, and I didn’t want him eating everything I brought,” Jaron said sheepishly. “This- this,ah, isn’t all. I have-”

“I love it, Jaron, I absolutely love it,” Imogen was quiet, her fingers steepled together and resting against her nose.

“That’s not all, I, ah, there’s more to the surprise.”

Fink’s head poked out from one of the trees, but thankfully disappeared the second Jaron frantically shooed him away.

Imogen was still marvelling at the quilt. “This is perfect.”

Once again, Fink appeared.

Changing his plan, Jaron motioned for Fink to bring the final gift. The transaction happened in the knick of time, Fink was dashing back to the castle before Imogen looked up from the quilt squares.

Jaron held the package behind his back. “I, um, I couldn’t resist. I wanted to spend time with you. Just you, Imogen.”

“I really appreciate it,” her smile was tinged with a bright pink blush. “I don’t-, I don’t really know what to say.”

“This will probably make it worse, then.”

“Jaron? What are you-?”

He held out the package for Imogen to see.

In his hands, rested a cream colored cat with a bright pink bow hanging loosely from its neck. Imogen covered her face with her arm for a moment. When she finally looked at the kitten again, she was beaming.

“You got me a kitten,” she mumbled, covering her bright pink cheeks with her hands. “Is it mine?”

“If you want it, yes. And ‘it’ is a ‘she’, if that influences what her name is going to be,” Jaron said as he sat down beside Imogen, holding the small cat out to her.

“Where did you find her?”

Jaron didn’t mean for an instant scowl to ruin his smile. “Renlyn sold it to me.”

“Ah, I think I know why,” Imogen scratched the cat’s ears. “We were discussing different royal pets. Supposedly, there are specific cats you can train to listen to you.”

“I’m not quite sure how true that is, especially coming from Renlyn.”

“We’ll just have to find out.”

The tiny cat mewed, and tried to climb up Imogen’s blouse sleeve. She untied the ribbon, cradling the cat to herself.

Nothing in the world could’ve made Jaron feel the same way that Imogen’s smile did.

#okay I love jarogen don't yell at me #prince jaron #imogen #some people don't ship them and I don't blame them but that means its my duty to convince them that theyre wrong #the ascendance series #the ascendance trilogy #the false prince #fic friday #fic Friday except its a sunday

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coruscato · 5 years

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;; BIO [ JARON ]

NAME: Jaron Artolius Eckbert III of the house of Artolius TITLE: King of Carthya, His Majesty PSEUDONYM: Sage AGE -- ( Timeline ( x. ) ) 14 - The False Prince, The Runaway King 15 - The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne 16+ - After the books BIRTHDAY: May 7th ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus ORIENTATION: Bisexual GENDER: Male PRONOUNS: he/him HEIGHT: 5′6″ MBTI TYPE: ENFP - A

PERSONALITY --

With the devils hot on his heels, it’s a wonder Jaron’s had the luck he’s had--maybe the saints are looking out for him after all.

While luck might account for some of his near death escapes, his own cleverness and determination can’t be ignored. With a strong willpower and courage in the face of fear, the King of Carthya might be impulsive and leap before he looks, but as with most things, he tends to land on his feet--much to the shock of his friends, foes, and mostly himself.

Observant and flexible, Jaron takes all that life throws at him and bends the circumstances to his will--remarking to most that he happens to be a serial truth teller, people are just keen on misunderstanding him due to their own biases and prejudice towards him.

His sense of compassion marks him as a true leader. Those who serve him know the interests of the people and those around him are first on his heart--and those that know him wish he’d, just once, reverse the order. In the face of turmoil, his protectiveness can be a dangerous risk--his enemies also realizing the lengths he’d go for those he cares about and holding that against him.

With a heart of gold and a self sacrificing nature, it’s no wonder that the citizens of his country would follow him into the devil’s lair and back. While he was once the mischievous prince who’s antics filled the court gossip, he has certainly grown into a leader his family and those around him would be proud of.

MENTALITY --

“What doesn’t kill me better run because now I’m angry.” ~Unknown

“The greatest slave in a kingdom is generally the king of it.” ~Fulke Greville

“Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake.” ~Savielly G. Tartakower

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

PHYSICAL APPEARANCE --

Smaller than most boys his age, with an average--yet solid--build, Jaron never thought he was quite impressive for a royal appearance-wise. He has light brown hair that curls at the sides thanks to his mother and bright green eyes always shining with determination and passion--unlike the arrogance and mischievousness the castle painters always gave him.

He might not have the body a king might be expected to have due to his scarring over the years--two scars at Farthenwood, the one on his arm from Roden, the pirate’s branding, and cuts and bruises from other times his mouth or title got him into trouble--and although he might be too skinny for someone who “literally gets the king’s feast every night,” it isn’t the body that makes a king.

As Kippenger told him at the end of The Shadow Throne, it’s the heart that makes a true royal; they could take everything else away and he’d still be who he had become, not only by birth, but by his own will: The Ascendant King.

HEALTH --

After The Shadow Throne, Jaron noticeably suffers from PTSD, liking to keep those he cares about close to him at all times if possible. From Latamer’s death to his time at Farthenwood itself to the pirates and the war, the devils have not been kind to him. Lack of sleep and loss of appetite still plague him even in this time of peace, but for those that care about him, he forces himself to look after his own needs. People count on him, he needs to be there.

And that’s a lot of pressure for a teenager to have.

Though his life is steadily returning to normalcy, there’s still a sense that he’s on edge, waiting for something else to happen. Things have never necessarily been quiet in his life, but thankfully, he has people around him--Harlowe, Mott, and Imogen to name a few--that can ground him in the moment and call him out on his antics.

MISC --

tba.

HISTORY --

[[ SPOILERS ]]

Born to King Eckbert and Queen Erin and the younger brother to Crown Prince Darius, Jaron was allowed the freedom to be a kid up until his father sent him away to a school in Bymar and the fateful pirate attack that failed to claim his life. After Father Fontelaine, on suspicion that the boy at the church was Jaron himself, sent word to the prince’s older brother who happened to be looking for any sign of his life in a nearby town, the king visited his son one last time.

He couldn’t come home.

The other kingdoms knew of his death and withdrew their forces to give the royal family a time of mourning. If he were to come back, his father would have to address the attack and the consequences of that would be dire for their country.

Spending the next four years in orphanages, finding that he had a knack for blending in amongst native Avenians, Jaron became Sage, forgetting the prince. So when a nobleman by the name of Bevin Conner came searching for a puppet prince that might fool the regents, things got very bad very quick.

He knew he had to return to the life he never wanted or die. With secrets revealed overtime, he had to keep his cards close to his chest if he was to overcome and outlast Conner.

He had to.

For Carthya.

#ooc #set up post #; in my darkest hour hope kissed my cheek ; jaron

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caughtinafantasy · 5 years

Photo

Title: Sword Of Vengeance (15) Year: 2015 Running Time: 87 minutes Director: Jim Weedon Cast: Stanley Weber (Shadow Walker), Annabelle Wallis (Anna), Karel Roden (Durant) Notes: None Rating: 8 Thoughts: The Shadow Walker returns to the now Norman lands after the Saxon defeat at Hastings. And seeks vengeance. The film is shot in monochrome with little hints of sepia, immediately adding mood. Throw in some cool long shots, clever use of light (normally sparkling through trees) and there's plenty to soak up. The lead broods. The actors all do a decent job and the direction is very good, albeit with plenty of nods to Sergio Leone - rain drops fall off the hero and his foe, slow walks abound and there are plenty of cuts to a slow moving hand near a weapon. The fighting is brutal, close up and grim. It all fits the feel of it. So far so good, but it's not without errors. Firstly, as I read the opening captions I wrote down the ending - and was 90% correct. It is a little predictable. Also this has no tie to the Norman invasion. The time period, the years post Hastings, are fascinating, but are hardly used. In addition there are a few plot elements that don't fit for me. The hero is sneaked up on twice early on that feels unrealistic. There's an unnecessary sex scene, thankfully brief, and the introduction of some Viking berserkers is just a bit silly. Later the enemy leader charges ahead of his men, then disappears completely, only to join in again at the very end of the battle to cause an end scene. They are mild annoyances and don't especially detract from a brutal and visceral film, with strong acting, realistic fighting (one hand flying through the air forever aside) and plenty of cool shots. Early on I was reminded of elements of High Plains Drifter in terms of the revenge tale and a lot of the ways it is portrayed.

#Viking #Historical #Film Review

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msclaritea · 6 years

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~A Vampire For Sherlock~

In Pursuing Sherlock, author Bill Mason goes lurking through the pages of canon to find links to vampires, and finds that there are actually very few. As Holmes states in The Sussex Vampire, “The world is big enough for us. No ghosts need apply.”

What does first stand out in Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, he finds, are a different sort of vampire, all in the form of women.

The Psychic Vampire

From Barbara Roden, in The Journal of The New Conan Doyle Society, 1993, the definition of a Psychic Vampire: “These creatures who do not resort to such crudites as sucking blood or turning into bats. They do not shun the daylight or sleep in coffins; instead, they appropriate the life forces of their victims by draining them of energy, and, in some cases, the will to live.” The stories with these characters include:

Kate Northcott in John Bartington Cowles She is said to have “a mysterious and evil influenced over her prospective husbands”

Miss Penclosa in The Parasite Uses her powers against a man she is in love with, causing “a malevolent, psychological sapping of will”

Sarah in The Cardboard Box “uses her power and evil influence over her sister Mary and Mary’s husband”

Isadora Klein in The Three Gables “saps Douglas Maberley of his energy and willpower”

Mason goes on to lament the lack of thrilling, evil (see traditional) Dracula-type characters. He refers to Psychic Vampires as not much fun. “Too much Freud, too little Wes Craven.” But, he finds, there is one. There is indeed a vampire figure, and a story in canon that parallels the most famous, and influential vampire of all time.

“A murderous aristocrat from Central Europe, with a history of violence and death behind him, moves to England in search of fresh victims. He leases a large house, which serves as his base of operations. He has unusual power and influence over women; a power he uses for evil. While in England, he destroys one woman and sets his sights on another; a woman of exceptional qualities. His threat to this woman is recognized by her friends and protectors, who are determined to save her. They call on the most knowledgeable and accomplished expert they can find; and he is assisted by a trusted friend, a medical doctor. Despite being a brilliant and totally ruthless foe who has anticipated almost every obstacle in his path, the villain is defeated and his intended victim rescued.“

“This is of course, the plot of Dracula, Bram Stoker’s most famous novel, which was published in 1897…But as Sherlockians, we should also recognize it, because this exact same story, in every single detail, is that of The Illustrious Client, 1924, in which Sherlock Holmes is retained to protect the lovely Violet de Merville from the designs of the murderous Baron Adelbert Gruner.”

There are two references to The Illustrious Client in A Scandal in Belgravia.

Harry, The Equerry “Client is illustrious, in the extreme.”

Sherlock “I’m used to mystery at one end of my cases. both ends is too much work.”

Mason goes on to compare 18 points of similarity between the two stories, comparing characters, such as Holmes and Van Helsing, Dr. Watson and Dr. Seward, plus the sexual subtext that is not only in Dracula, but in every manifestation of vampire mythology literature and popular culture.

Additional Personal Notes on Stoker and Doyle

Abraham “Bram” Stoker (8 november 1847 - 20 april 1912) was an Irish writer wellknown for his novel Dracula. He was a friend of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He was at his marriage on 18 september 1907. In that same year he conducted and wrote an interview with Conan Doyle: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Tells of His Career and Work, His Sentiments Towards America, and His Approaching Marriage.

When Bram Stoker managed The Lyceum Theatre in London, he produced the Conan Doyle play A Story of Waterloo (based on the story A Straggler of ‘15). Conan Doyle wrote in his autobiography: « I had written a short story called “A Straggler of ‘15,” which had seemed to me to be a moving picture of an old soldier and his ways. My own eyes were moist as I wrote it and that is the surest way to moisten those of others. I now turned this into a one-act play, and, greatly daring, I sent it to Henry Irving, of whose genius I had been a fervent admirer ever since those Edinburgh days when I had paid my sixpence for the gallery night after night to see him in “Hamlet” and “The Lyons Mail.” To my great delight I had a pleasing note from Bram Stoker, the great man’s secretary, offering me £100 for the copyright. »

Stoker was a Sherlock Holmes fan. He thought he could use it as a model in a first version of Dracula, as a specialist of psychic research named Singleton, with a policeman named Cotford and a Watson-like history teacher named Max Windshoeffel.

Stoker and Conan Doyle both collaborated with other writers on the serial novel: The Fate of Fenella, in 1892

Pt 2 of a Book Series. Check out Holmes & The Rule of Three

@gosherlocked @sarahthecoat @may-shepard @ebaeschnbliah @brilliantorinsane @simpleanddestructivechemistry @sherlock-overflow-error @consultingidiots @loveismyrevolution @just-sort-of-happened

@devoursjohnlock @thememacat

#pursuing sherlock holmes #bill mason #dracula references in acd canon #holmes/helsing #watson/seward #dracul/gruner #acd & stoker #two literary bros swapping story ideas #the illustrious client #the parasite

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sisilafami · 6 years

Text

2017

Same as every year.

Rap:

Kodak Black - Project Baby 2 All Grown Up & my compilation of his loosies

Playboi Carti - Playboi Carti

FMB DZ - Washington DZ

SahBabii - S.A.N.D.A.S.

Quelle Chris - Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often

Chief Keef - Thot breaker / Two Zero One Seven / Dedication

Meek Mill - the right mix of songs from Wins and Losses & Meekend Music ep’s

Famous Dex - Adex Twin

Goldlink - At What Cost

Tee Grizzley - My Moment

Payroll Giovanni - Payface

SOB X RBE - s/t

Mozzy - 1 Up Top Ahk

Mozzy & Gunplay - Dreadlocks & Headshots

Keydo - FunkLYFE 3

Smino - Blkswn

Tay-K - Santana World

Peezy - Winter Grind

And then,

1WayFrank - Sunland Stunna

21 Savage, Offset & Metro Boomin - Without Warning

21 Savage - Issa

70th Street Carlos - BANG 2

Armand Hammer - Rome

Ball Greezy - Bae Day

Big Quis - MTV2

Cuban Doll - Aaliyah Keef

Daboii - Young Wild Nigga

DrakeO The Ruler - Cold Devil

Future - the right mix of songs from FUTURE & HNDRXX

Ice Billion Berg - Rare Is Real / I Never Lied

ICYTWAT - MILK

Kendrick Lamar - DAMN

Lil Durk - Love Songs For The Streets

Migos - Culture

Mulatto Beats - 22 Summers

OMB Shawniebo - Problem Child Dreams Of A Normal Life

Rich The Kid - Rich Forever 3

Rico Nasty - Sugar Trap 2

Shy Glizzy - Quiet Storm / Jefe - The World Is Yours

Starlito - GetthOut

Thouxanbanfauni - Heavy Weight Champ

Trouble -16

Valee & ChaseTheMoney - VTM

Ybs Skola - Only Hope

Young Nudy - Nudy Life

Young Thug & Carnage - Young Martha EP

ZMoney & ChaseTheMoney - ZTM

Honorable mention:

03 Greedo / Ca$h Out / Johnny Cinco / Koly P / Lil Durk & Lil Reese / Lucki Ecks / Lud Foe / Smokepurpp / Sniper Gang / UnoTheAactivist / Yo Gotti & Mike Will

R’n’B:

Brent Faiyaz - Sonder Son

Kehlani - SweetSexySavage

Ty Dolla $ign - Beach House 3

Syd - Fin

Kelela - Take Me Apart

Digital Beats:

Jana Rush - Pariah

Sinjin Hawke - First Opus

Percentius - 0%

Iglooghost - Neō Wax Bloom

Various - Firma Do Txiga

Equiknoxx - Colón Man

DJ Earl - Meditate On Bass

DJ Nigga Fox - 15 Barras

STILL - I

Various - Guarapo! Forty Bangers From Barranquilla

Basic Rhythm - The Basics

DJ Tre - The Underdogg EP

Digital Bliss :

Lorenzo Senni - XAllegroX \ The Shape Of Trance To Come

Ryuichi Sakamoto - async

Various - Mono No Aware

Autechre - JNSN CODE GL16 \ spl47

Kara-Lis Coverdale - Grafts

Palta - Universel

Klaus - Cry Tuff Gus Bela

HKE - Dragon Soul

D.K. / S.K.

Visible Cloaks - Reassemblage / Lex

Aclds - Fuadain Liesmas

Inventing Masks - 2nd

Pop? :

Taylor Swift - Reputation

Bjork - Utopia

Laurel Halo - Dust

Dean Blunt & Johanne Robertson - Wahalla

Contemporary Composition, Improvisation and all that good stuff:

Luís Antero - Sound Places-Serra do Açor Vol. 1 / 3 Mountains

John Cage - Klang Der Wandlungen

Kate Carr - From A Wind Turbine To Vultures (And Back)

Moniek Darge - Sacred Balinese Soundies, Mauro's Song

Sarah Davachi - All My Circles Run

Benedict Drew - Estuary Magic

Bruno Duplant & David Vélez - Preservation

Morton Feldman - Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello

Jürg Frey - Ephemeral Constructions / Collection Gustave Roud / L’Âme Est Sans Retenue I

Klaus Filip & Noid - No No No No

Haptic - Ten Years Under The Earth

Eva-Maria Houben - Organ Sonatinas And Drones

Eva-Maria Houben & Ernesto Rodrigues ‎- Layering Time

Yan Jun & Ben Owen - Swimming Salt 游泳的盐

Alice Kemp - Fill my body with flowers and rice

Kostis Kilymis - A Void

Yannis Kyriakides - Subvoice

Giovanni Lami - Hysteresis II

The Necks - Unfold

NYZ - FLD RCDR

Éliane Radigue - Occam Ocean vol. 1

Jeffrey Roden - Threads of a Prayer Volume 2

Ernesto Rodrigues, Emídio Buchinho & Ricardo Guerreiro - Fall

Vanessa Rossetto - Rocinante

Mark So - And Suddenly From All This There Came Some Horrid Music

Tyler Wilcox - Works For Two Chapels

Techno / House:

Call Super - Arpo

Terrence Dixon - Like A Thief In The Night

Errorsmith - Superlative Fatigue

Fred P - Instinctive Rhythms

Galcher Lustwerk - Dark Bliss

Hieroglyphic Being, Sarathy Korwar and Shabaka Hutchings - ARE Project

Mori Ra - The Brasserie Heroique Edits Part 3

Nkisi - Ruin

Powell - New Beta Vol.1&2

Reboot - Are You Loosing My Mind (Ricardo Villalobos Remixes)

Sublee - Ideepsum

Various - Superlongevity 6 Disc 2

Untold - Tear Up The Club \ Watton Res

Villalobos & Einzelkind - Arnorac

Vtgnike - Collection

New Old:

Camp Lo - On The Way Uptown

Alice Coltrane - World Spirituality Classics 1 The Ecstatic Music of Alice Coltrane

Luc Ferrari - Hétérozygote ∕ Petite Symphonie...

Nature - Queens Classics vol. 2

Prince - Purple Rain Extended

Jaap Vink - Recollection GRM

If you made it through this long ass post, as a present, here’s a mix of contemporary music i made not so long ago.

#2017

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newssplashy · 6 years

Text

Tech: Prince Philip turns 97 on Sunday — here's the best photo from every year of his royal career

Prince Philip turns 97 on Sunday, more than a year after retiring from public life. These are the best photos from every year of his royal career.

Prince Philip turns 97 on Sunday — and it's been over a year since he announced his official retirement from public service.

According to The Telegraph, the Duke of Edinburgh has carried out 22,219 solo engagements and 637 solo visits overseas since he left active military service in 1952.

In retirement, the Duke is reportedly enjoying more leisure time at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk — he is an avid carriage driver and enjoys oil painting.

His Royal Highness' career will be remembered equally for his sharp wit as he will be for his gaffes, which have often left the nation laughing or reeling.

The Prince's prolonged service has won him support from both sides of Parliament — Jeremy Corbyn applauded his "clear sense of public duty" and Theresa May praised his "steadfast support" to the Queen.

Philip's lengthy career, marked by hundreds of visits to far-flung corners of the British Empire, has unsurprisingly produced some remarkable royal photography.

As he turns 97, here are the best images from each of his years as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh:

1947: Prince Philip began his journey as a British Royal when he married into the country's royal family after a five-month engagement to his distant cousin, Elizabeth. He was 26.

1948: The couple had their first child, Prince Charles, in 1948. In this picture, he sleeps in the arms of his mother, then Princess Elizabeth, after his Christening at Buckingham Palace.

1949: Philip spent many of his younger years in the Royal Navy meaning family time was precious. He spent much of 1949 stationed in Malta as the first lieutenant of the destroyer HMS Checkers, the lead ship of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet.

1950: Two years after the birth of Prince Charles, Elizabeth and Philip gave birth to their second child, Princess Anne.

1951: The family's first home was Clarence House, located just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace in central London. The family can be seen playing in its gardens in this photo.

1952: Despite his active naval career ending in 1951, he was promoted to commander of the Royal Navy in 1952.

Source: The British Monarchy

1953: During the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Philip bowed to his while while more than 27 million people in Britain watched on television.

Source: Royal.uk

1954: This photo shows the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during an official visit to HAMS Australia, flagship of the Australian Navy. The Royal couple went aboard during their visit to Cairns, Queensland.

1955: Throughout his career, he has been involved with more than 780 organisations and been a loyal supporter of his wife, attending events around the world with her for more than 60 years.

1956: In 1956, the royal founded the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme. The scheme is still running 61 years later and aims to instill within young people a "sense of responsibility to themselves and their communities," by encouraging them to take part in charity work and outdoor activities.

1957: It wasn't until 1957 that Philip was formerly made a British prince. That same year, he completed a round the world tour aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Here he is feeding penguins during a visit to the Antarctic.

1958: Here, Prince Philip is handing a pen back to Levi Milley after signing an autograph. Milley was one of 12 men who survived nearly a week trapped in a mine in SpringHill, Nova Scotia in 1958.

1959: Philip and Elizabeth's children grew up meeting some of the world's most powerful leaders. President Eisenhower visited Balmoral Castle in 1959, where he was photographed patting Princess Anne on the shoulder as her father looked on proudly.

1960: Prince Andrew, the couple's third child, was born in 1960. In this photo, he laughs as he holds hands with his father, Prince Philip, and his sister, Princess Anne, during their summer holiday at Balmoral Castle.

1961: The royal couple made their first visit to the Taj Mahal in India in January 1961. He also became UK President of the World Wildlife Fund the same year.

1962: The Royals have been a regular fixture at Ascot, one of the biggest events in Britain's horse racing calendar.

1963: In 1963, the couple went on a three-month tour of Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand.

1964: People often don't realize that the royal is also a qualified pilot, having racked up nearly 6,000 flying hours over the past five decades. He's also the patron of the Guild of Air Pilots.

1965: Philip attended the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill, along with fellow British royals and dignitaries from overseas.

1966: The Queen and her husband visited St. Lucia in 1966. This was also the year he famously proclaimed "British women can't cook."

Source: The Telegraph

1967: The following year, he made an equally dubious gaffe. When asked whether he would like to visit the Soviet Union, he replied: "I would like to go to Russia very much, although the bastards murdered half my family." This is a reference to his German heritage.

1968: Britain celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the RA Fin style. Here, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip ride past a number of Bloodhound missiles on display during their visit to the Royal Air Force Base at Abington, England.

1969: Prince Philip joined a patient's group therapy session when he visited the National Addiction and Research Institute in Chelsea, London. The prince spent 20 minutes with the patients discussing their problems.

1970: Queen Elizabeth II read her speech in the House of Lords alongside her husband for the State Opening of Parliament in 1970.

1971: The late Sir Roger Moore met the Duke of Edinburgh at an auction dinner in aid of the Variety Club of Great Britain, at the Savoy Hotel in 1971.

1972: In 1972, Philip and Elizabeth travelled to France and took part in remembrance services.

1973: Prince Philip talked to his wife before the new Sydney Opera House complex. Left is Frank Barnes., General Manager of the Opera House and right is Sir Roden Cutler, Governor of New South Wales.

1974: He received a traditional Maori welcome when he arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, to open the 10th Commonwealth Games. In this ancient Maori challenge, the feather is thrown at the feet of the Duke, with the chant, "do you come as friend or foe," by picking up the feather the Duke was accepted and welcomed.

1975: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are greeted by Emperor Hirohito of Japan at the entrance of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 7, 1975.

1976: The royal couple laughed as the young girl stood next to them was reluctant to hand over a bouquet of flowers during their royal visit to Luxembourg.

1977: This photo captures Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth waving at a low-flying Concorde as it passed the Royal Yacht Britannia near Barbados. The iconic passenger jet could fly faster than the speed of sound but made its last flight in 2003 due to soaring costs.

1978: Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were followed by their sons Prince Andrew, left, and Prince Edward, as they entered the stadium before the start of the 11th Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada.

1979: This family photo was taken in the ground of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Elizabeth and Philip were joined by their sons (l-r) Prince Andrew, Prince Charles, and Prince Edward.

1980: The Royals made a historic visit to meet Pope John Paul II in the Vatican in October 1980. It was the first state visit to the Vatican by a British monarch.

1981: Philip's first son, Prince Charles, married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. An estimated 750 million people watched the ceremony worldwide. Below is the official wedding portrait. Philip can be seen standing next to Diana.

1982: The Queen looked surprised after her husband, Prince Philip, pointed that they should be going another way as they drove through the crowd of athletes and officials during the Closing Ceremony of the 12th Commonwealth Games. The crowd forced them to make another lap around the stadium.

1983: The couple has met every sitting US president — bar Lyndon B. Johnson — since Elizabeth ascended to the throne. Here they're pictured with former President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan in San Francisco.

1984: The Royal family, along with Lord Spencer, attended Prince Harry's Christening in December 1984.

1985: The Queen, Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal, Princes William and Harry, and the Earl of Wessex at the Trooping the Colour.

1986: The couple paid a state visit to China, making the Queen the first British monarch to ever do so.

1987: Philip held a news conference in Washington D.C. in May 1987, to announce a World Wildlife Fund Campaign to end illegal wildlife trade. The global organisation has also named an award after him — The Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award — which recognizes "highly meritorious contributions to the conservation of wildlife and natural resources."

1988: Prince Philip was greeted by children of the British School in Holland. He was visiting the Netherlands for the celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, when Prince William III of Holland ousted King James II from the English family.

1989: Philip was greeted by a worshipper at St. Mary's Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur after he stepped in for the queen who was unable to attend the service because of a chill. In the background is a plaque in honour of the royal couple.

1990: The prince had the honour of delivering the Rafael M. Salas Lecture at the United Nations' headquarters in New York. Named in honour of Mrs. Salas' — pictured below— late husband, Rafael was the first head of the United Nations Population Fund.

1991: President George H. Bush escorted Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the field at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, before the Orioles played the Oakland A's. This was the first baseball game the monarch had ever watched.

1992: Here, Prince Philip emerges from the channel tunnel near Calais, France, after becoming the first member of the royal family to use the rail line connecting England and France — one year before it welcomed its first fare-paying passenger.

1993: The Duke of Edinburgh chats with Diana, Princess of Wales, at a banquet he is hosting in honour of the Queen, at the Dorchester Hotel, London.

1994: This was the first ever visit to Israel by a member of the royal family. Philip flew to the country to participate in a ceremony honouring his mother for saving Greek Jews during WWII. In this photo, Prince Philip jokes with British veterans.

1995: Queen Elizabeth II looks up toward the sky as Prince Philip, left, and Prince Charles look on during memorial services to mark the 50th anniversary of VJ Day in London on August 19.

1996: Prince Philip caused outrage across the country on December 18, particularly in Dublin, the scene of that year's primary school massacre, when he suggested that cricket bats were potentially just as dangerous as guns.

1997: Philip and his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, walk through a sea of flowers left by the public outside Buckingham Palace in memory of Princess Diana, who was killed in a car crash in Paris in August that year.

1998: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip greet Tony Blair and his wife Cherie at Buckingham Palace in London on the second day of the Asia-Europe meeting. The three days of meetings were dominated by discussions on how the Asian economic crisis was being handled.

1999: The Queen and her husband were welcomed to Ghana by the sound of drums and reggae music, where they met the 13 regional chiefs and eight Queen Mothers of Ghana.

2000: Prince Philip bids farewell to Former President Nelson Mandela. Prince Philip and Prince Edward went to see young offenders enrolled in rehabilitation programs in South Africa.

2001: Jordan's Queen Rania smiled with Prince Philip during arrival ceremonies in Windsor. The King and Queen of Jordan were on an official State Visit to England at the time.

2002: A year of glorious highs and sad lows — The Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee, it was also the year the Queen Mother passed away.

2003: Then-US President George W. Bush visited Britain with his wife Barbara in 2003. The couple can be seen walking with the royals along the west terrace of Buckingham Palace.

2004: A memorial fountain dedicated to the late Princess Diana was unveiled in Hyde Park, London. The House of Windsor buried the hatchet with the aristocratic family of Diana earlier that week, almost seven years after her brother savaged the royals in his funeral eulogy.

2005: A National Service of Remembrance was held for the Victims of the London Bombings at St. Paul's Cathedral in central London. The service, where candles were lit to represent the four sites in London bombed on July 7, was also attended by Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair.

2006: Prince Philip visited the Queen's Royal Hussars in Basra. He told the troops that most people in Britain had "a great deal of sympathy for those of you at the sharp end who are trying to do your best to make life civilized and tolerable for the locals."

2007: Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary. They marked the occasion with a special thanksgiving service held at Westminster Abbey.

2008: Prince Philip and France's then-first lady Carla Bruni laughed as they stood with Queen Elizabeth and French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a review of the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle in Windsor.

2009: Prince Philip speaks to well-wishers during his visit with Queen Elizabeth to Newcastle, northern England.

2010: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip attended the ninth inauguration of the General Synod at Westminster Abbey, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

2011: Prince Philip has spent his life supporting veterans and the armed forces. Here, he talks with soldiers and their relatives of the 2 Close Support Battalion RE ME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) after the Operation Herrick Medal Parade at the Saint Barbara's Barracks in undefined, Lower Saxony. Some 150 soldiers were awarded for their deployment in Afghanistan.

2012: This brilliant photo captures Philip, Elizabeth, and Charles laughing as they watch the Braemer Gathering in Scotland as competitors participated in a sack race.

2013: Prince Philip was presented with New Zealand's highest honour, the Order of New Zealand, by his wife, Elizabeth, at Buckingham Palace in London. He also celebrated his 92nd birthday that year.

2014: The couple laughed after bidding farewell to the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina at Windsor Castle. The Irish President and his wife Sabina left Windsor at the end of a four day State Visit to Britain, during which they stayed at the castle as guests of her majesty.

2015: Philip played a vital role in saving Britain's engineering sector in the 1970s by creating a national engineering academy. He told the BBC in 2015 that after WWII, Britain was "completely skint — it seemed to me that the only way we were going to recover was through engineering."

Source: BBC

2016: The Duke of Edinburgh Award celebrated its 60 anniversary in 2016 — arguably the most successful venture of any current royal. The Queen also celebrated her 90th birthday in style with the Patron's Lunch street party, pictured below.

Source: The Telegraph

2017: After 65 years of public service, the prince retired from public life. Public appearances had become increasingly rare — but here he attends the annual garden party at the Palace of Hilarity's in Edinburgh.

2018: Though officially retired, Prince Philip has made appearances at a number of events in the past year. His grandson Prince Harry's wedding, for instance, was not something he was likely to miss.

Charles Clark contributed to an earlier version of this story.

source https://www.newssplashy.com/2018/06/tech-prince-philip-turns-97-on-sunday_8.html

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foerodens · 1 year

Text

One of my favourite photos from last year happened quite spontaneously when I noticed a little bit of fog around here and decided to drive up the mountain a few km to a pond which I visit occasionally, which has some older trees around it. I took photos of those too but then, walking the path next to the water, I turned around and a liiiittle bit of indirect sunlight came through the fog and turned the autumn leaves bright yellow, including the ones on the path.

I went back to the same location 3 days later and almost all the leaves had fallen down or turned into a messy brown, so I was really lucky to capture this moment.

Photo: Foe Rodens.

The photo is available in my Redbubble and my Society6 shop.