A Barrenfist Reunion

Talos Barrenfist

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Grand Army Base Delta

Wearing his blue fatigues, Talos Barrenfist sat by a desk in the officers’ quarters, finishing a report on the status of his platoon. Done, the bearded lieutenant set the pen down on top of the paper. The spaceborn rubbed the left cheek with one hand before letting out a weary sigh. Dragon’s breath I hate paperwork but it’s done.

Personally, Talos would’ve preferred to have this night on shore leave like most of his men and women were doing in a nearby town. Well someone has to make sure command is up date with what my platoon needs. Considering the Grand Army about to hit Alderaan in a few rotations, we’re going to need everything this military can give us.

Still situated in the chair, Talos couldn’t help but feel the end of the war is drawing near. Back in the early days the Republic was on the ropes but now the tables had now turned. The Deucalian displayed a small grin to himself, proud of each of the marines he had lead throughout the conflict. Both the living and the honored dead.

Yet within his soul were the lingering chains of regret and guilt. The officer concealed it in front of the troops and the media that now hounded him. Talos looked down at the desk solemn silence. Suddenly his comlink inside the left pocket beeped repeatedly. Uttering a few choice words in suprise Talos picked up the comlink and examined the number before answering the call.

“Alright Sergeant Looms it’s me. What is it?”

The female voice on the other end answered.

“Sorry to interrupt to you sir but we have a situation.”

“What have the boys and girls done this time?” Talos interrupted before the noncom replied

“No lieutenant this is not about the platoon. We have a small vessel making an unauthorized flight in our airspace and approaching. When messaged the pilot claims to be your brother Hakon Barrenfist and he wants see you...now.”

Talos’ eyes widen in complete shock and rendered speechless. Memories he had long buried surfaced burst like water from a shattered dam. Last time they saw one another, Talos had nearly murdered Hakon because they both sought the heart of a woman, Bodi.

Is he here to settle our blood debt finally? But why now of all nights?

Further thoughts on the possibilities were interrupted when Sgt. Looms spoke up again through the comlink.

“Sir?”

“Direct him to hanger bay seven. Send no one else, I’ll handle this personally, that’s an order. Whatever happens it was my call understood?”

Once complied, Talos got up from his seat and rushed out of the quarters. A few minutes later he stood alone alone inside hanger seven with the large doors opened on the east end. Soon enough a Deucalian small vessel under the escort of two Republic escorts flew low before descending in front of Talos. The marine remained where he was staring, quietly at the ship while the ramp came down with small bursts of steam.

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The Storyteller

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Hakon Barrenfist was a proud man.

He was a warrior through and through and he was loved for it; loved by his men, loved by his people and loved by his wife. Indeed, for a time, he had even been loved by his brother as well but that had somewhat stagnated after Telos had attempted to kill him over their mutual love.

Although no scholar, Hakon knew better than to bring his wife, knowing that it would have only cause his brother heartache and made this all the harder.

Stalking down the ramp of the now-landed ship, Hakon was clad in his armour with his massive warhammer slung over his back. He waved off his guards to meet with his brother alone.

He stopped in front Talos and looked the marine up and down a few times before meeting his gaze.

His stoic facade cracked a little bit as he smirked.

"Your beard's still shite."

And like that the tension began to ease away as Hakon placed a meaty hand on each of Talos' shoulders.

"You look scrawny as hells brother - what garbage are they feeding you here?" He demanded with a bark of a laugh, "Maybe we should go hunting to get you some meat back in your diet?!"


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Talos Barrenfist

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Ten years was an eternity for someone like Talos. Yet upon he immediately recognized Hakon once the man walked down the ramp. Still favors that hammer, I see. The younger Barrenfist noted mentally, refusing to look away. From outside appearances alone any observer could not detect the whirlwind of emotions bottomed inside Talos who maintained a stoic expression.

Moments later the two men were right in front of one another in slience. Hakon sized him up which wasn’t unexpected from Talos’ view but what happened next truly was. As soon as the armored man commented about his beard, the slightly younger man’s eyes widened in surprise. Feeling disarmed, Talos found his shoulders griped in Hakon’s mighty hands in warming greeting, followed by hearty laughter and more jokes.

Some people would’ve been put off by such a display but Talos knew his kin and what this truly meant. Burying the Elduröxi. Just as our father used to say when we squabble as little pups. Nearly a decade’s worth of self-loathing bottomed up inside started to melt away by the offer of forgiveness Hakon had given. Instantly Talos returned the favor taking firmly ahold of his sibling’s taller shoulders and smiled with full acceptance.

Hakon can see in his little brother’s eyes that Talos regretted what transpired between them both so long ago and was willing to move on. Instead of saying that, the bearded marine let out a short chuckle and replied. “Trust me you don’t want know to know the horrors they feed this army. But yes the meat of a fresh kill is always better.”

With a brief pause Talos took his own turn examining Hakon before adding in jest. “Is it the armor or have ya got a few extra pounds there Hakon?”

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Hakon could see, plain as day, that his baby brother seemed to think that his decision not to hold a grudge was something akin to a miracle. Admittedly, it was a little bit odd considering they had literally been attempting to kill each other the last time they had actually seen each other, ten years ago.

But... that was ten years ago.

A lot could, and did, happen in ten years. In ten years, men could become respected Republic officers and men could become fathers and more.

"I'm sure that you could do with the excitement too." he barked a laugh, patting his brother hard on the back, "I've been following your exploits little brother - you've been creaming those Cartel fools! You know they've turned our family's name into a saying? I LOVE IT!"

Rolling his eyes, Hakon shook his head,

"I'm afraid that old age is catching up to me brother." he remarked, faking a solemn tone, before adding, "I call it baby weight."

Actually becoming serious as they walked, Hakon glanced at his brother.

"I am a father, Talos. Two boys and a baby girl." He looked off into the distance, "The boys... brothers... they asked me why I didn't speak to you anymore. Why I didn't speak to my brother. I told them... I told them that my baby brother hurt me - hurt me deep - and I didn't want to see him anymore. Do you know what they said?"

He sniffed, looking away from Talos.

"They told me that it shouldn't matter - that a brother is a brother no matter what. And... my eldest... he looked at me and he told me... he told me I'd failed. That a big brother was supposed to look out for his little brother no matter what. To love and help him be better." Hakon swallowed thickly as he turned back to Talos, some tears in his eyes, "I failed you baby brother. Can you forgive an old fool?"


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Talos Barrenfist

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Talos should’ve known his brother found about his recent actions. Given how the propaganda machine running the stories. The only reason he tolerated the whole thing was because it helped morale. In battle warriors need champions to rally behind or be it in order to lead others to victory. It was truth that the younger Barrenfist learned from his brother as they fought beside each other for their clan. Just wish those kriffing reporters for once pay more attention to the needs of my troops than how big my Elduröxi is.

Slightly grinning Talos answered. “Well someone had to show this lot how we Deculatians fight. I took some losses from those nerf karkers but been paying them back for it ten times.”

As they the marine couldn’t help but roll his eyes with amusement at Hakon’s excuse of calling his new weight as baby weight. Some things never change. So when the elder Barrenfist gotten more serious Talos paused and listened. Hakon a father and with three offspring! Now that is news indeed.

Given the years it made perfect sense but still it was a lot to take in. Especially the fact he was an uncle. It barely registered when Hakon gave the kicker while looking out in the distance from the hanger. Talos suddenly found himself choking with emotion with each new word that followed. Childern, nephews he had never known nor seen wanted him and their father to make peace simply because they’re family. For the first in a long time silent tears streamed down Talos’s eyes down to his bearded cheeks.

For a moment the younger Barrenfist brother looked down at the floor, feeling unworthy of Hakon’s apologies. Finally looking back up he finally managed to nod in reply then say.

“Can you big brother forgive me for failing you, Bodi, and our Clan that night? All this time I believed the only thing left for me was to at least die as a warrior somewhere on a distant battlefield if the dragons of fate were merciful.”

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Hakon could see that his brother seemed less than happy with the media attention and he could understand that on a personal level. It would get very annoying he was sure but as a leader he really could see the value of such a propaganda campaign. Sure he had much less than the Republic but that was no reason why his morale would not need to be boosted all the same.

He smirked but didn't say anything. What was there to say? His baby brother was adept at killing men and leading them as well. He was doing his clan and his people proud every day... but to go on and on about that would be far too much like a chick flick moment so he didn't mention it.

But they were past such moments now.

Now was the time that raw emotion took over and directed each man to follow his heart and his gut. Pride and stubbornness were not accepted here and now. Hakon swallowed thickly and acted like the bear of a man he was - he reached out and pulled his little brother into a bone-crunching bear-hug.

"All is forgiven little brother - I should have told you that years ago and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left you out in the cold for so long."

He released his brother and looked him in the eye.

"Dying in service would be a noble end but... it is not your only choice any longer. You can come home and live out your days with your family."


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Talos Barrenfist

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Without warning Talos found himself captured in an crushing embrace by Hakon. As he wince then smiled with relief when his brother forgave him. In the very moment, what felt like a massive stone lifted off him. Talos returned the hug as much as able before being released. Subsequently the Barrenfist chieftain inivited him to return home.

Such an offer to return to one’s own kin felt so surreal to him. At a loss of words the younger Barrenfist then steady himself and thought of it. Half a minute later he looked back up to Hakon and said.

“Nothing would please me more Bróðir. I dared not dream of such a blessing until this moment.” Pausing he let out a sigh.

“But there is still a war on you know. My marines need me now more than ever in the battle to come. Yet I swear by our ancestors and the dragons that once it is over I will return to our clan.

If death takes me I will return in spirit.

He thought but didn’t say out it loud. Instead Talos chuckled, commenting.

Kriff me this special occasion derseves a celebration. Come brother let me treat you to some rounds like old times. I know a bar outside the base. It’s not like the mead old Skor had but it’s good enough to be merry with. Let’s bring the lads in your ship along too.”
 

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As soon as he had suggested that Talos could come home, Hakon knew that his brother would only be coming home in a box to be burned in the tradition of their ancestors. And considering the fact that the younger Barrenfist brother was in the military of a power at war? Well, Hakon couldn't help but think that he would be burning his brother's body sooner rather than later and toasting to the man in the clan halls, celebrating his life while mourning his loss.

He could tell by the look in his brother's eyes... neither of them really believed that Talos would survive this war. In the end, he supposed you couldn't fixate yourself with ideas of what you would do when the war was over while you were fighting. When you were at war you needed to focus each and every effort on the war itself, lest you die.

But Talos had already accepted the idea that he would not return while living.

"You'll be back with your clan one way or another, little brother." he assured Talos with a small, sad and subdued, smile, "I have spoken to your commanding officers and should you fall? You will be brought to our clan to be put to rest alongside our ancestors as is your right."

Grinning, Hakon laughed at his brother's suggestion before sending a message via datapad to his men on the ship,

"Ahead of you there little brother - I brought along some of said mead. Wanted to make sure you've not gone soft on me living amongst these weaker peoples!"

He clapped his brother on the back before his smile became slightly more serious again.

"I'm proud of you little brother." he admitted before laughing again, "Now lets get shite-faced!"


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Talos Barrenfist

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When Hakon told him that he can rest like their ancestors, Talos smiled with evident relief. To be accepted by the clan whether in life and death is the one of the greatest blessings one can have in this life.

Subsequently, the younger Barrenfist’s grin grew wider when informed the clan mead was brought in. A heartily chuckle escaped him. Hakon grasped his shoulder Talos did and listened to his sibling tell him how proud he is was. The former exile’s heart threaten to burst with pride. He couldn’t asked for a better moment than this one. At the last comment Talos replied

“You’re on Hakon. Let’s show the garrison a night they and we won’t forget.”

True to their word, their party was the wildest occasion the base ever saw andwould be on record. The lieutenant did not held back the joy that his once more drinking, singing, and dancing like a fool with Hakon for all to see. No matter what tomorrow offered his soul was whole again. Later before a deep slumber took him Talos of Clan Barrenfist muttered in the mother tongue an ancient prayer.

“Ég fer til feðra minna. Þeir bjóða mér að taka minn stað meðal þeirra. Í voldugu fyrirtæki getur maður ekki orðið fyrir skömmi. Þar sem hugrakkur getur lifað að eilífu.”

(OOC Translation: I’m going to my fathers. They bid me to take my place among them. In whose mighty company, one can feel no shame. Where the brave may live forever.)

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