Kylen

Kylen, as pictured in Ember Falls.

**P****rince Kylen**, also known as **Kyle**, is the son of Bleston, older brother to Naylen, and the crown prince of Terralain.

Heather Longtreader first met Kylen during her stay at Cloud Mountain. At first, he proved to be a loyal friend, even going so far as to publicly defend her from Captain Frye. However, he later helped organize an ambush on Smalden Joveson, revealing himself to actually be a traitor to the Resistance, though his behavior suggested that he lamented the stand he took.

Sometime later, Kylen is revealed to be the son of Bleston and the prince of Terralain, thus making him the rival of Smalls and Emma. Despite this, though, he still risked his life to save Emma and Heather from a wolf during a battle. Not long after this, however, Kylen—clearly mentally deteriorating—confronted Emma and implored her to give up the throne, but she staunchly refused.

## Biography

### Early life

The circumstances of Kyle's early life are unknown, but he was eventually sent by his father Bleston to infiltrate The Resistance. When he arrived at Cloud Mountain, he took to hanging out with a group of young carefree bucks, gaining a reputation as a rogue and a liar, given his tendency to exaggerate and fabricate information. Kyle's infamous reputation became known even to Wilfred Longtreader. However, he did occasionally share truthful details, such as asserting his status as a prince to Emma.

### *The Green Ember*/*The Last Archer*

Kyle met Heather and Picket Longtreader shortly after they arrived at Cloud Mountain, entering the Savory Den with his gang of bucks. He befriended the pair, who observed his easy interactions with Gort and Pacer, though Emma warned them against trusting him. During their visit to the Village Green the following day, Kyle appeared again, telling his new friends of Terralain and various fabrications concerning King Jupiter's heir over Emma's protests. Later, Kyle appeared in the Savory Den looking upset, prompting concern from Heather. He subsequently defended Heather against Frye's accusations that all Longtreaders were traitors, briefly getting into a tussle with the older rabbit.

Kyle betrayed Cloud Mountain to the wolves occupying Decker's Landing as ordered by his father, sneaking out at night to meet with the leader of the wolf garrison. During one such night escapade, he was spotted by Jo Shanks and Captain Frye, the latter of whom mistook him for Picket due to their similar coloring. Kyle had, by this time, worked his way into Smalls' confidence, presumably providing him with information that proved to be accurate. He then persuaded Smalls that his mother was in danger, thus convincing Smalls to set out for Exile Glen by way of Jupiter's Crossing.

Kyle advised Smalls to leave the Green Ember, supposedly for safekeeping; in reality he hoped to steal it and didn't want it to fall into the hands of Morbin Blackhawk's minions when Smalls fell into the ambush waiting at the crossing. He was found rummaging through Smalls' room by Heather and Picket during the wolf attack, at which point it was discovered that Smalls did not follow his advice, and took the Green Ember with him to Jupiter's Crossing. Heather reacted angrily to Kyle's admission of betrayal, in spite of his efforts to appear contrite and hopes that Heather would understand his situation. Once he admitted to the full extent of his crimes, Heather left, and Picket followed after briefly considering taking the traitor's life. Heather later alerted Captain Frye to Kyle's activities, and Frye promised to deal with Kyle.

### *Ember Falls*

Kyle successfully escaped Cloud Mountain before he could be imprisoned, and made his way home to Terralain where he returned to his true identity as Kylen. His treachery was discussed by Heather and Lord Ramnor, and later mentioned again by Wilfred. Kylen, along with his father Bleston and the Terralain army, came to the defense of Halfwind Citadel during the Attack on Halfwind Citadel. He helped to drive off the invading wolves, and was then revealed to his former friends, the Longtreaders and Emma, as the second lord of Terralain. Kylen displayed signs of regret over his previous actions, and attempted to reconcile with Heather and Picket while cautioning them against opposing his father.

In a visit to the mess hall, Kylen-accompanied by Bleston's advisor Tameth Seer and Captain Valter-announced an assembly to be held in Leapers' Hall. He then collected Picket to bring him to Bleston's chamber for an audience, during which Tameth stated the conviction that Kyle would have a place in history akin to that of Flint. Kylen later met Heather while she was walking outside the citadel, and she agreed to join him in walking, trying to treat him with civility. She also agreed to his request to meet with his father in private, something he had arranged to give her a chance to accomplish her goals.

The pair were then attacked by a wolf, whom Kylen managed to fatally injure but not without being badly injured himself. While Heather subsequently tended to Kylen's wounds, she spoke to his father Bleston about throwing his support behind Smalls instead of pursuing a claim to the throne himself. Bleston acted as though Heather had persuaded him, and prepared to lead the combined forces of Halfwind and Terralain to the defense of Cloud Mountain. Though injured, Kylen came out to join the marshalling forces, announcing that he intended to fight with them rather than remaining at Halfwind as his father had directed. He then recited Blackstar's oath to the assembled soldiers, who joined in with him and cheered his brave performance.

As implied by Perkinson, Kylen was unaware of his father's intended treachery, and was not part of the force that attempted to abduct Emma, now revealed as Smalls' sister and heir, from Cloud Mountain. This betrayal culminated in Bleston's death, and Kylen was left in command of the Terralain forces.

### *Ember Rising*

During her time in Akolan, Heather's dreams included a vision of Kylen marching against the Cause in anger with his army at his back. Some time later, Kylen and Emma met secretly in the darkness of a forest clearing under the cover of night. Emma wanted to discuss a possible peace treaty between them, but Kylen was haggard and tired from sickness, and believed firmly that Picket had murdered his father and that he and Heather both served Morbin. During this meeting, it was revealed that Kylen has the Whitson Stone and considered himself rightful ruler of Natalia just as his father did when he possessed the talisman.

He tried to get Emma to give up and give him the throne, but she refused and turned to leave; before she did, however, she warned Kylen to stop taking the medicine that Tameth Seer had been giving him. Kylen regarded her angrily in response, due to his continued trust of his father's esteemed advisor. Tameth was the only individual among the Terralain forces to be told of the meeting by Kylen, and he attempted to murder Emma and thus secure Kylen's claim to the throne and, unbeknownst to the prince, their partnership with Morbin and the Lords of Prey.

### *Ember's End*

As Kylen's health continued to deteriorate, Tameth Seer saw to the ordering of their forces, as well as summoning Kylen's younger brother Naylen and the remainder of Terralain's soldiers up from their homeland. The nearly doubled army established a camp near First Warren in preparation for an invasion of that city, in which they intended to attack ahead of the Preylord and wolf armies commanded by Morbin. Deceived by their treacherous advisor, neither Kylen nor Naylen knew the full extent of Morbin and Tameth's plans, but continued to believe that Tameth was acting out of loyalty to them and their father's memory. Kylen was asleep when Jo Shanks and the Blackstar twins infiltrated the camp, and Jo overheard Naylen and Tameth discussing his condition.

Jo resisted the temptation to strike at the sleeping prince, and instead left a note addressed to Kylen underneath his throne. When Emma later arrived at the camp with the Fowlers serving as her escort, Kylen intervened to prevent them from being killed, partly because Picket did not kill Naylen following a brief altercation between the two. Inviting his cousin and Picket into his tent, Kylen allowed them to speak to him but demanded that Picket be the one to plead their cause. However, despite Picket's heartfelt words, Kylen remained poisoned against them by the influence of Tameth Seer.

Grieving for Heather, whom he believed had been bewitched by Emma along with Picket, Kylen gave his leave for the embassy to leave his camp, warning that his forces would soon attack. Their meeting was then interrupted by the arrival of Lallo, an emissary from First Warren, with news that Morbin's forces were advancing. Kylen was confused, as this ran contrary to what Tameth had told him about Morbin's intentions, and Picket exploded with anger and had to be restrained by several onlookers. After condemning Kylen for his collaboration with Morbin, Picket and the others departed, though Naylen-acting on Kylen's instructions-informed them that the Terralain army would arrive in three days.

Jo informed Naylen of his note, proof that Kylen had been at his mercy and yet had come to no harm; moved by this and his own misgivings, Naylen reached out to forces of the Cause for help. Working together, they successfully saved Kylen from an attempt by Tameth Seer to assassinate him, and Kylen's health began to recover thanks to the herbmaster of the Pilgrim's band. After the Terralains arrived at First Warren, Naylen confronted Tameth with his treachery, and Kylen then appeared as proof that Tameth's schemes had been thwarted. A struggle ensued between the Terralain temple guard and Kylen's royal guard, during which Kylen and his brother put an end to the traitorous Tameth.

Shortly thereafter, with their internal conflict settled, Kylen and Naylen led their forces in charging against the wolf army of Farlock, which had arrived to attack the city in the midst of their battle with Tameth. Their army was joined by troops from Blackstone Citadel, and Lord Ronan tasked Jo with escorting a still weak Kylen to the old palace while he and Naylen remained on the field. Brought before Emma, Kylen humbled himself on his knees, apologizing tearfully for his past misdeeds. He surrendered the Whitson Stone to her, and Emma expressed forgiveness to her cousin and gratitude for their reconciliation.

As the first wave of Preylords attacked, Kylen watched along with Emma and several others from the palace roof. He and his cousin Whitbie Joveson joined in fighting back raptors who attacked the roof itself, and Kylen also took part in the brief strategy meeting regarding how to eliminate the threat of Falcowitson. Eventually, the plight of the Terralain army moved Kylen to beg leave to return to the field and join his brother. He was surprised to learn that Emma was unfamiliar with the Pilgrim, who arrived with his band and Lady Glen in the midst of their discussion of him. With Helmer's leave, Kylen traveled back to the field in company with the Pilgrim, his followers, and Jo.

On the way to the fight, Kylen exchanged a few words with the Pilgrim and Jo, and thanked the latter for his note and efforts to move him away from his self-destructive path. Kylen and the Pilgrim's band eventually reached the Terralain forces, and despite the fierce fighting survived the final stages of the War for All Natalia. Kylen afterwards returned to Terralain, parting in friendship from his old friends and cousins, including a returned Smalls. Heather, who married Smalls and became queen of Natalia, later saw him at Naylen's wedding, and would not see him again for some time afterwards. He would later send Emma a letter informing her of his plans to attend the annual Feast of the Mending, as well as bringing a party of bucks to the Great Wood as part of Terralain's tribute, planning to help build houses.

## Personality and traits

Initially, Kylen displayed a charming, roguish demeanor, which proved to be a façade that hid the insecurity and guilt he carried within. When his betrayal of Smalls became known, he no longer hid his shame, appearing utterly remorseful for his actions. His best traits were a certain amount of courage and loyalty, which he had in good measure. Despite his rakishness, he would not let someone else be blamed for his actions, and was willing to stand up for them, even if there were consequences.

After the events which led to his father being killed, however, Kylen took on a darker, more serious personality; and his wounds led to him becoming weak, feverish, and prone to mood swings. As Perkinson revealed, Kylen never knew much about his father’s treachery, which only added to his deterioration under Tameth Seer’s suggested influence.

## Family tree

 - The Royal Family of Natalia -

Note: Broken lines indicate relation through affinity or adoption or distant relation; unbroken lines indicate relation by blood.
## Relationships

### Bleston

Bleston was Kylen's father and ruler as king of Terralain, and Kylen seems to have regarded him with a mixture of love and fear. It was on Bleston's orders that Kylen, under the name Kyle, infiltrated Cloud Mountain and attempted to betray the Cause, despite his own misgivings about doing so. Though he would admit to regretting such actions later, he still submitted to Bleston's authority and continued to follow his orders. He also seemed fully convinced that his father, and by extension himself, had a rightful claim to the throne of Natalia.

After Bleston died attempting to capture or kill Emma, Kylen became embittered against his former friends and determined to avenge his father's death. He was urged on in this mission by Tameth Seer, but upon the revelation that his supposed advisor sought to eliminate him Kylen was apparently convinced not only of Tameth's villainy but of his father's as well. He thus abandoned his bid to claim the throne and joined his forces to the Cause, surrendering the Whitson Stone to Emma in token of his new allegiance.

### Heather Joveson

Kyle took an interest in Heather shortly after first seeing her in the Savory Den, and soon made an effort to befriend her and her brother. While Heather didn't trust what he said completely (some of it sounded far-fetched and her friend Emma told her Kyle wasn't trustworthy) she asked him questions and listened to what he had to say, partly out of curiosity because for a while he was her only source of information. When Captain Frye accused Heather of treason, Kyle stood up for her, even fighting the captain and receiving a bloody lip. This prompted Heather to tell Smalls that he was her friend. Upon realizing Kyle's treachery, she confronts him, enraged at what he has done.

**Heather**: What's in the past, Kyle, and what we can't forget, Princeling, is our friendship destroyed, our friends murdered, and our future king betrayed.

—*Ember Falls*, pg. 111

After Bleston and Kylen arrived, Heather was very angry at how nicely they were treated. She was angry at how he had betrayed Smalls and many others and caused the Attack on Cloud Mountain, and yet here he was being treated like a hero. She was also angry that Kyle had lied to *her* and betrayed *her*. Kyle told Heather that he had never meant to hurt her, and had thought of her as a true friend, but Heather shouted that she did not care about him. Later, during conversation between the two, a wolf attacked them. Kyle protected Heather, prompting her to rethink her feelings and be grateful to Kyle. Following Bleston's betrayal, Heather decides that she had been a fool to ever trust Kylen.
Kylen expressed the opinion that Heather was a traitor. However, he later blamed it on Emma, saying that it was a shame that Emma had convinced Heather to turn traitor.

After the Mending, Heather was invited to Naylen's wedding and Kylen did much to help Emma, which presumably pleased Heather.

### Picket Longtreader

**Picket**: So you can rule the world?

—*Ember Falls*, pg. 111

While at Cloud Mountain, Picket was not as close to Kyle as Heather was, but was still angry at Kyle's betrayal. When Kylen returned with the Terralains, Picket was not so resentful as Heather was but was suspicious of Kylen and his reasoning. Heather was of the opinion that Picket would not be able to forgive Kylen. After Kylen saved Heather in the woods, Picket wondered if he should resent Kylen.

Kylen began to think that Picket had murdered his father, and hated Picket. Picket attempted to get Kylen on their side, telling him of all that Morbin would do to the young rabbits when his army attacked. However, Kylen declined the offer, as he hated Emma. When Kylen let slip that they were allied with Morbin, Picket rushed at Kylen, and had to be restrained by Helmer. While struggling against Helmer, Picket insulted Kylen, calling him Morbin's pet and cursing him.

Picket was glad when the Terralains joined the Cause. After Picket killed the wolf king Farlock, many wolves advanced on him, but Kylen and Naylen came too. They protected Picket, and presumably saved his life as well. Kylen and Picket fought a wolf together. Kylen expressed guilt to Jo Shanks over all that he had put Picket through.

### Smalden Joveson

**Heather Longtreader**: I'm sure the future king would forgive you.

—*Ember Falls*, pg. 151

Kyle sent Smalls to Jupiter's Crossing with a story about his mother, where many wolves (including Redeye Garlackson), birds, and Garten Longtreader were waiting. Before leaving, Smalls asked Heather whether Kyle was trustworthy. It is unclear whether that was regular precautions or if he had specific suspicions. Heather presumed that Kyle set up the betrayal by giving Smalls real intelligence before that.

Kyle later expressed guilt over his traitorous actions, wishing that he could apologize to Smalls. He later joined the cause that had been Smalls', and he became connected with the Natalian rabbits following the Mending.

### Emma Joveson

While at Cloud Mountain, Emma was disdainful of Kyle and thought him (perhaps not wrongly) and immature liar.

Heather was of the opinion that Emma would never forgive Kylen. Emma attempted to persuade Kylen that Heather and Picket were not traitors, but he only called her a liar. Emma offered o help Kylen, seeing that he needed medical care, but he insisted that he could not accept help from her. Kylen insisted that he was the king of Natalia, and Emma was only an usurper, but while Emma did not want the throne she knew it was her duty and would not give it to him. Kylen grew to hate Emma.

When Emma came to the Terralain camp to attempt to get them to fight with her instead of against her, he called her a witch and refused to join her cause. After finding out that Kylen is allied with Morbin, she told him that he had killed thousands with his plots.

Emma was glad when Kylen and Naylen turned back to the Cause, bringing the Terralain army with them. Kylen expressed guilt to Jo Shanks over what he had put Emma through, that he had been "obstinate and wrong" and that Emma had tried to save his life and he should have listened to her. When he met Emma, Kylen fell to his knees and apologized, asking if she could ever forgive him. Emma extended a hand to him, telling him to get up as they had work to do, together. However, Kylen stayed kneeling, and gave the Whitson Stone to Emma. Emma accepted it and placed it around her neck, telling Kylen that she would not forget that he gave them a chance, and told him again to get up. However, Kylen preferred to continue expressing his regrets, telling Emma that she had always been right about him, and said again that he was sorry. Emma told him that she hoped this reunion of family was a glimpse of the Mending. Kylen agreed, and closed his eyes on tears.

After the Mending came, Kylen sent a letter to Emma saying he was planning to come for the Feast of the Mending the following year. He planned to bring a team of many Terralain rabbits to help build homes for Emma's rabbits, which pleased her.

### Tameth Seer

Kylen trusted Tameth Seer, as Tameth was his father's most trusted advisor. Kylen believed all Tameth told him, taking the medicine Tameth told him to even though it was poison, and believing Tameth's lies about Heather and Picket being traitors and Emma an usurper. Tameth Seer eventually attempted to kill Kylen and blame it on Emma, but Naylen was able to prevent this and Kylen joined his brother in dealing justice to the traitor.

### Naylen

**Kylen**: In other words, I'm too weak to keep at it out here.

**Naylen**: You're not that great when you're fully healthy, anyway.

—*Ember's End*, p. 286 |  | ”

Naylen was Kylen's younger brother, and the two had a strong bond of brotherly love. Naylen was deeply troubled by the thought that Kylen might die, and Picket's merciful act of sparing Naylen's life after a brief altercation moved Kylen to allow Picket and Emma's party to leave his camp unharmed. Naylen's concern for Kylen moved him to approach the rabbits of the Cause for help, which enabled them to save Kylen's life from Tameth Seer's assassins. Despite this affection, Naylen wasn't above poking fun at his older brother in an attempt to lighten his mood during the Siege of First Warren. Kylen, meanwhile, was so concerned for his brother's safety that, in spite of his own weakened condition, he couldn't bear to remain in relative safety while Naylen led their forces in battle.

### Jo Shanks

Jo and Kylen became acquainted at some point prior to the Siege of First Warren, though Kylen's antagonism towards Emma soured their relationship for some time. Despite this, Jo refrained from doing any harm to Kylen when he infiltrated the Terralain camp, instead leaving a note beneath his throne as proof that Kylen had been at his mercy and he had done nothing to injure him. Jo also helped to save Kylen's life from Tameth Seer's assassins, before accepting the task of escorting him to the old palace. Jo would also accompany Kylen part of the way out of the city on his way to rejoin the Terralain forces; on both journeys the pair joked with one another, Kylen by turns displaying gratitude and playful annoyance with Jo's antics.

## Trivia

* The name "Kylen" is of English and Scottish origin. It means "narrow land" or "strait."

## References

1. ↑ [1]
2. ↑ [2]