Mikkel

*'At least you look forward to seeing me. Isn’t that so, Cupcake?'*

## Mikkel the Reader

Fanart of Mikkel by Suis0u https://suis0u.tumblr.com/post/182736060518/mikkel-a-character-by-not-poignant-and-their-fae

## General details

### Roles or Vocation

* Reader/interrogation assist
* Double agent

## Introduction

Mikkel was a Seelie common fae Reader who served Albion during Albion's Kingship in the Seelie Court, but funneled information to Gwyn ap Nudd, up until Mikkel sacrificed himself to save Gwyn's life.

## Appearance

Mikkel had 'pale brown' eyes. When Gwyn met Mikkel in *The Court of Five Thrones* for the first time, Mikkel had a broad face, 'several days into needing a shave, and his hair was short, brown and slightly curled. He was a solidly built man, tending towards roundness. He wore human clothing - brown jeans, brick red boots, a cream shirt with some embroidered word on it that Gwyn couldn't make out. There was a red leather cord around his neck.' He also wore a 'red tweet flat cap'.

## Personality

Mikkel had a playful personality that masked a deep pessimism and sadness. He was also deeply curious, easily bored, mocking, and a bit patronizing. Gwyn considered him 'obnoxious' in his mannerisms. Eran said he was 'flippant, even callous'. Mikkel also often projected his feelings onto others. He was very self-deprecating, to the point that were he to acknowledge that *even if* Angelica loved him, she would have stopped after learning he was a Reader. Mikkel also has a tendency to read people before they can talk, knowing and/or guessing what they're going to say, which he finds exhausting, and which can also lead to his avoiding conversation entirely or ending them before the other person has even processed them.

He stated that, like other Seelie Readers, he's bad at lying. He also said 'I don’t like war. I don’t like people dying. I don’t like being told that it’s my duty to the Seelie to be present at interrogations and make liars out of good people.' Mikkel noted that he has dealt with suicidal ideation for most of his life.

Mikkel hated teleporting, because he needed to experience strong emotion for it, and there weren't many strong emotions he wanted to feel.

Mikkel is touch averse.

Mikkel is asexual and aromantic.

## Life

When Mikkel was young, he befriended a mourning dove shifter named Angelica. Mikkel thought her death - and his discovering her body - made his Reader powers activate. They activated early, even for a Reader. When he was able to see that his parents didn't love him all the time and the world was terrible, he became quite cynical. He hid his powers for a time, but ultimately told his parents they'd manifested. According to Mikkel, he projected his hurt onto his parents, playing them against each other to the point where his father 'snapped'. His parents gave him up when he was 15 years old.

When he left his parents' home, he was 'poached about twenty metres' from the gates, 'and started getting sold off around then.' He was 'picked up by the Oak King for a little while' and trained, although the Oak King didn't like him.

Albion brought Mikkel to interrogate Gwyn after Gwyn's true alignment was revealed. Mikkel noted that Gwyn was afraid of Mikkel, and affirmed or clarified Gwyn's statements, and explained bits of his mood and plans. He also read much of Gwyn's life, including, to some extent, Gwyn's relationship with Mafydd Brant.

Mikkel encountered Gwyn again when Gwyn went to the Seelie Court to answer for the murders of Crielle ferch Fnwy and her household. Mikkel entered Old Pete's office while Gwyn was there, and mocked Gwyn throughout the meeting. At one point in the meeting, he 'sauntered over and walked behind Gwyn, trailing a finger over his shoulder. He clapped him on the injured section of his back, and Gwyn couldn't stop the gust of breath that escaped his lungs.' Mikkel lied to Old Pete on Gwyn's behalf, helping to sell the story that Gwyn ordered Augus Each Uisge to murder Crielle. Old Pete insisted that Mikkel accompany Gwyn out. Mikkel pointed out what he did on Gwyn's behalf, but Gwyn was nonplussed. Once they passed the official threshold of the Seelie Court, Gwyn punched Mikkel in the face, knocking him down. Mikkel reiterated that he was on Gwyn's side, and promised to see Gwyn again soon.

At some point Mikkel told the Seelie Court that he was going to try befriending Gwyn, which the Court didn't think he could accomplish, but let him try. Mikkel planned to use this as a cover for reaching out to Gwyn. He traveled towards the Unseelie Court, hoping to see Gwyn, while Gwyn was out hunting with his crossbow. When Gwyn questioned his presence, Mikkel insisted on asking how Gwyn managed to mask himself until he was practically on top of Mikkel. Gwyn threatened Mikkel if he didn't answer Gwyn's question, and ultimately Gwyn shot him in the leg with an arrow. When Gwyn approached, Mikkel drew a gun and shot Gwyn in the calf. Mikkel explained that Dogwill Borough, one of Gwyn's generals, was a traitor feeding information to the Seelie Court, and that Albion had given him underwater plants to resist compulsions. Gwyn was suspicious, and Mikkel revealed that he believed Albion didn't want 'what's best for the Seelie fae. I think he wants what *he* thinks is best. Guess what? Not the same thing.'

Gwyn was careful to imprison and interrogate Dogwill over some time in a way that wouldn't put extra suspicion on Mikkel. When Mikkel appeared again, ostensibly to ask Gwyn on a walk, Gwyn invited Augus. Mikkel was frustrated by Augus' presence, admitting that he couldn't read Augus well, but when Augus tried to use compulsions to interrogate him, Mikkel angrily said that he could withstand compulsions, and it was frustrating that the Unseelie Court still didn't trust him. Augus left, and Gwyn and Mikkel went walking in the Night Gardens. They talked a little about Albion's generals, and Mikkel asked what Mafydd was like, and how Gwyn fell in love with him, since people falling in love with Readers is rare, and usually sad. Gwyn told him to lay off, but Mikkel insisted. When Gwyn grabbed Mikkel by the collar, Mikkel was scared, but said, 'Aw, Cupcake . . . I'm not him.'

Gwyn asked after Mikkel's red cord, which Mikkel said was a gift from his father symbolizing his love but also 'I can't really handle this ability that you’ve got that lets you know all these things that I’m super ashamed of. So it’s time for you to make your own way in the world but don’t forget me and all.' He also talked about Angelica. When Gwyn returned to speaking about the generals, Mikkel promised to return to talk about Mafydd again, because he'd never met someone who loved a Reader. Gwyn said that this was untrue, because Gwyn believed that Angelica loved Mikkel. This shook Mikkel deeply.

Gwyn later admitted that he believed Mikkel was unaware of how valuable the information he passed along to Gwyn was, and that, despite Mikkel bringing up Mafydd, Gwyn liked him.

The next time Mikkel appeared, Gwyn snuck up on him again. Mikkel baited Gwyn afterward, saying 'pretty much all the people you love end up kicking the bucket, don't they?' with a smile. This enraged Gwyn, on top of other displaced anger, and Gwyn punched Mikkel so hard that the Reader fell off his seat. Mikkel said Gwyn couldn't solve all his problems with violence, and Gwyn hit him again. Mikkel brandished his flintlock at Gwyn, threatening to shoot Gwyn if Gwyn kept hitting him. Mikkel pointed out that Gwyn was scary, and had issues handling jokes, which deeply shocked Gwyn. Gwyn dismissed Mikkel's pain by insisting he'd heal, to which Mikkel replied that if Gwyn disliked Lludd Llaw Eraint's treatment of Gwyn so much, then Gwyn shouldn't turn that treatment on others.

Mikkel soon turned the conversation back to Mafydd, demanding to know more about him. Gwyn complied, haltingly. Mikkel emphasized that Gwyn was 16 when he met Mafydd. Gwyn was incredibly uncomfortable, but Mikkel insisted on knowing more, particularly since he could understand that he'd given Gwyn valuable information, even if he didn't know why it was valuable, and wanted payment. Gwyn felt obligated to talk more. While discussing Gwyn and Mafydd's visit to the orange grove, Mikkel seemingly used his Reader powers - or simply asked the right questions - in a way that would delve more deeply into Gwyn's psyche, which broke something. Mikkel apologized for what he'd done, without explaining, wished Gwyn luck with his denial, and teleported away.

Between the previous visit and his next to the Unseelie Court, he stood in on the interrogation of Marika. He also prepared a list for Gwyn of Seelie fae who didn't want the Unseelie Court to disappear.

When Augus noticed that Gwyn was hurt after meeting Mikkel, Augus set the trows to alert *him* when Mikkel next appeared, at least before telling Gwyn. The trows fetched him at last, and Mikkel was annoyed and afraid to be confronted with Augus. Augus trapped and disarmed Mikkel, invading Mikkel's personal space and stabbing his claws into Mikkel's flank when Augus pointed out that Mikkel had hurt Gwyn. Mikkel apologized repeatedly, stating that Gwyn was his friend, and he hadn't meant to hurt him like that. Augus demanded that Mikkel defend himself, and Mikkel stated that Albion and Gwyn were both making the world miserable, and that the Seelie Court wasn't a good place to live in anymore. Augus stated that if Mikkel hurt Gwyn like he had again, Mikkel needed to let Augus know. Augus then sent him to meet Gwyn.

Gwyn found Mikkel crying in the Night Gardens. They sniped a bit at each other, with Mikkel ultimately apologizing for what he'd done to some extent, explaining that part of the issue was that Gwyn seemed so strong and dangerous that it was hard to remember that he was fragile, too. Mikkel turned over his list of potentially friendly Seelie fae, for which Gwyn thanked him. Gwyn asked if there was a way for Mikkel to leave Albion's employ, to which Mikkel laughed, noting that even if he could leave - which he couldn't - and even if he took refuge at the Unseelie Court - which he didn't want to - he knew Gwyn would manipulate Mikkel's help as a Reader somehow.

Gwyn offered to talk more about Mafydd, and Mikkel moved the conversation to Gwyn's father, as well, and the conversation was a bit lighter in many ways. Gwyn suggested that creating moments of joy for others might be a Reader trait, which turned to how Readers are trained, forcefully, to become skilled Readers useful for interrogations. Mikkel rejected Gwyn's compassion. They then discussed more of what MIkkel had learned about a network of allies that the Unseelie Court could use.

Albion started making use of Mikkel every day, which wore on him. Over a month after Mikkel's last visit, after Ifir's mutiny, Mikkel visited again. He noticed Gwyn was doing poorly and asked, in his way, after Gwyn's welfare. Mikkel discussed how hopeless his situation was, and Gwyn offered Mikkel the chance to ask for asylum at the Unseelie Court. Mikkel explained how deeply discomforting being at the Unseelie Court was, and Gwyn did his best to try and be comforting, in his own way, which was mostly them sitting together in silence. When Gwyn started to succumb to his injuries, Mikkel steadily became more alarmed and fetched Augus. He talked with Augus a little while Augus tried to help Gwyn. Mikkel explained that it would be harder for him to return more often in the future. Augus gave him some excuses to use, which seemed to make Mikkel happier.

When Albion requested Eran Iliakambar's presence at the Seelie Court for an interrogation, to try and weaken the Ambaros-Marid Djinn cabal, Mikkel was present. Albion tried to convince Eran to leave his family, but Eran refused. 'Mikkel had seen into his mind, and said things Eran never wanted anyone to say about him before he was ready to say them himself, and when Eran had gotten increasingly agitated, Mikkel had said: ‘What, you’re Seelie aren’t you? It’s the truth, isn’t it? Calm down, already.’

Mikkel returned to the Unseelie Court during the Winter Court, upset and desperate, prompting Gwyn to ask him, again, to ask for asylum, but Mikkel again refused. He told Gwyn more about the numbers of soldiers Albion had on hand, and that Albion was marching on the Unseelie Court. Gwyn had no reassurances for him, which only depressed him more. Gwyn then asked about Eran's interrogation. Mikkel grew angry over Gwyn's lack of a trump card to Albion's play. Gwyn told him to head back, bidding him farewell.

Mikkel next appeared at the last Wild Hunt. Gwyn told him it wasn't safe, but Mikkel insisted that he was just tired, and wanted to do something with a friend, and that he might even ask for asylum when it was done. Mikkel ultimately asked if Gwyn could make a refuge for Readers, away from the Courts. Gwyn agreed to think it over.

After Augus made the killing blow to the King of the Forest, Gwyn moved a ways away to give him some privacy, and Prince Vane found him. Mikkel shortly joined them. Mikkel forcefully encouraged Vane to *leave*, so that Mikkel and Gwyn could be alone. They joined the feast together. Then Mikkel intercepted the arrow coated in mothersbane poison that Vane shot at Gwyn, and it fatally wounded the Reader. Mikkel admitted that he knew it was going to happen, and had intentionally avoided telling Gwyn, because he was so tired of everything. In his grief, Gwyn left for the Caves of Argoth to deal with his light. Mikkel still lay dying, and asked for someone to hold his hand. Ash stayed nearby, and took his hand, encouraging him to think of someone he cared about. Mikkel was scared, but thought of Angelica.

Because of Mikkel's unjust murder and violence between the alignments, the King of the Forest ended the Wild Hunt, permanently. Gwyn took Mikkel's red leather cord, and agreed with Augus that they couldn't take Mikkel's body.

Gwyn later made good on his promise to Mikkel by making a request of Ondine and giving her funds to build a refuge for Readers.

## Special Abilities

### Fae Abilities

**Reader:** Mikkel is a powerful Reader, but also noted that he was originally able to read Gwyn so easily largely because Gwyn was underfae at the time. Readers can 'pull people's emotions from their head to such a nuanced degree, they could practically read thoughts.' Mikkel noted that 'there's always signal jamming with fae that can use compulsions and hypnotism and stuff.' This was why he struggles to read Augus. He also appeared to have some ability to sense animals, given his reaction to his horse at the last Wild Hunt. Mikkel was also able to sense the King of the Forest before he appeared. As part of his Reader abilities, Mikkel could withstand compulsions. He could also shield himself from detection.

**Teleportation:** Mikkel could teleport.

## Relationships

### Angelica

Mikkel deeply cared for Angelica, and spent much of his time while she was alive finding new ways to make her happy. Gwyn believed Angelica loved Mikkel.

### Augus Each Uisge

Mikkel was terrified of Augus, particularly after Augus trapped him against a wall and repeatedly threatened him. Augus was angry that Mikkel's visits with Gwyn left Gwyn emotionally shattered, at least without Augus' notice.

### Eran Iliakambar

Eran disliked Mikkel, and found Mikkel's interrogation deeply upsetting and uncomfortable. He originally believed Mikkel could have done anything with his life, but when Gwyn explained that Readers are kidnapped and tortured into obedience to do what they do, Eran seemed chastened. Eran was also still angry that Mikkel betrayed the Seelie Court by serving as Gwyn's informant.

### Gwyn ap Nudd

Mikkel initially reminded Gwyn of Mafydd, particularly given their similar eye color, and that they were both Readers. Mikkel initially said that he was bored and found Gwyn interesting, but also found Gwyn useful as a way to help Seelie fae generally, versus Albion's vengeance-driven machinations. Mikkel also appreciated that Gwyn actually *listened* to what he said. The pair formed a warm friendship over time, and Gwyn promised to create a refuge for Readers outside of Court control. Mikkel's death, and particularly that it was to save Gwyn's life, was very traumatic for Gwyn. Gwyn ultimately kept his promise to Mikkel, and used personal funds and favors to help Ondine make a refuge for Readers.

### Old Pete

Old Pete isn't fond of Mikkel, because Mikkel can, for some reason, Read him very easily.

### Prince Vane

Vane didn't seem to think much of Mikkel, and disliked him more for getting in Vane's way during the last Wild Hunt. Mikkel read him easily, but didn't give away what Vane was up to.

## Quotations

* 'Oh, cupcake. You think I don’t know what to say to you, to get you off my back? You want to know what I plucked from your head in that cell?'
* 'Gwyn, you’re three thousand years old, yes? Give or take? You do know that you didn’t make your father like…hit you, right? How do you not know that?'
* To Gwyn: 'You’re gonna make me cry again, you asshole'
* 'You know, sometimes there’s only bad choices, Gwyn. But you have to remember that my choices are my own, got it?'
* 'Readers get…bored,’ Mikkel said, his voice rasping. ‘We get so bored. You all feel…the same.’ Mikkel’s eyes begged Gwyn to understand, even as tears leaked from the corners. ‘Even you, Cupcake. As special as you are…to me.'
* Gwyn to Eran about Mikkel: ‘He was… Well, I think he still thought of me as somewhat Seelie. He said that a few times. But I also think he wanted to see the fae realm do better, and I think perhaps he wanted a friend.’
* Gwyn to Eran about Mikkel: ‘He died trying to save us all, and certainly to save me. They put statues of me, not him, in Summervale. But I’d be dead without him.’

## Trivia

* While Gwyn was sitting with Mikkel, Gwyn thought of Augus giving him a collar - inspired in part by Mikkel's collar - which made Mikkel chuckle when he read it.
* While Mikkel's heartsong isn't referenced in the canon, Pia confirmed on their Tumblr that it is perception/perceptiveness.

## Image Gallery

Fanart of Mikkel by Suis0u https://suis0u.tumblr.com/post/182736060518/mikkel-a-character-by-not-poignant-and-their-faeFanart of Mikkel by the-fluff-overlord https://the-fluff-overlord.tumblr.com/post/93771588025Fanart of Mikkel by kaza999 https://kaza999.tumblr.com/post/99708686919/ok-so-vane-and-ondine-from-the-newest-coft-chapterFanart of Mikkel by Bobo Kitty https://bobokitty.tumblr.com/post/122658609944/its-like-past-2-am-i-wanted-to-draw
## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 40: Intervention. Accessed 23 April 2021.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 53: Arrow. Accessed 23 April 2021.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 *Game Theory*, Chapter 38: Underfae. Accessed 15 April 2021.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 2: Orphan. Accessed 15 April 2021.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 21: Fracture. Accessed 23 April 2021.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 *The Ice Plague: Book 3 - The Ice Plague*, Chapter 17: Singing Silver. Accessed 14 October 2021.
7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 14: Pearl. Accessed 23 April 2021.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 27: Healing. Accessed 23 April 2021.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 48: Exploration. Accessed 23 April 2021.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 4: Suspicions. Accessed 23 April 2021.
11. ↑ *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 20: Mirror. Accessed 23 April 2021.
12. ↑ *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 28: Solidarity. Accessed 23 April 2021.
13. ↑ *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 41: Interrogation. Accessed 23 April 2021.
14. ↑ *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 46: Masque. Accessed 10 June 2021.
15. ↑ *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 54: Fraught. Accessed 21 April 2021.
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 *The Court of Five Thrones*, Chapter 55: Refuge. Accessed 23 April 2021.
17. ↑ *The Ice Plague: Book 3 - The Ice Plague*, Chapter 19: Golden Bonds. Accessed 11 November 2021.
18. ↑ Pia stating Mikkel's heartsong on their not\_poignant tumblr. https://not-poignant.tumblr.com/post/151553811798/idk-if-this-question-has-been-answered-and-if-it. Accessed 10 June 2021.