Khittin Untethered ~ by SaralynArati

Yellowauthor

1

Oh wow! Love that! And it definitely sounds cool ^^

5 years ago

SaralynArati

1

Thanks again, Yellow!! Rouran's name is the name of an ancient country north of central China, then called Wei, where the Huns lived before they were called Huns. Sadly, it has no double meaning, I just thought it sounded cool.

5 years ago

Yellowauthor

1

Genius! It works well for both purposes!

5 years ago

SaralynArati

1

Thank you so much, Yellow! Khittin's name comes from the name of an ethnic group of people who live in that general area, but is also meant to reflect her innocence and playfulness.

5 years ago

Yellowauthor

1

Oh how lovely!! Both ladies are so beautiful, and their interaction is precious! <3

5 years ago

SaralynArati

1

Khittin blushed. "I keep forgetting you weren't born a princess," she apologized. "It's just so obvious that there's something special about you, unusual and rare." "I forget, too," Mulan reassured the girl. "Tell me about your pony. Did you bring it with you?" "Only until I get used to riding a taller mount. I'll send him back at the Great Wall." "What's his name?" "Emperor," said the Mongol teen, embarrassed. "I won't tell," Mulan said kindly. "The Fa family horse is called Khan."

5 years ago

SaralynArati

1

"My father's word is law, and I was much favored, for a while. Hence I was allowed to take part in unofficial pony races and learn to shoot the bow. Surreptitiously, Rouran even taught me swordplay." Mulan nodded. "I believe I understand what you mean. I was an only child, but my dog named Little Brother helped me with my chores, and it was necessary that I learn to ride the family horse, which I loved. Of course, I wasn't taught archery or swordsmanship until I joined the army as a man."

5 years ago

SaralynArati

1

Her father usually meant well, but the Khan had many claims upon his time and attention. And Kala Nag was... a bit more covert in her machinations then, yet she was still very much Kala Nag, so among other things, her son Amur was NOT encouraged to befriend his elder half-sister. "It sounds a little lonely, with Rouran frequently being sent on border skirmishes with the Huns..." Mulan began tentatively. "Maybe, but I felt neither bored nor lonely," Khittin assured her. "Or only mildly so."

5 years ago

SaralynArati

1

Not that the Jade Lotus was all they discussed. Khittin, understandably, wished to discover more about the country she was being taken to: land, weather, society and customs. Mostly, though, she wanted to hear tales of Mulan's adventures. Presently Princess Khittin regained her natural vivacity sufficiently to respond to Fa Mulan's gentle probing into her own life growing up in Mongolia. As a child, she'd practically worshipped her older brother Rouran, as she had few memories of her mother.

5 years ago