Airen

**Helmer**: Nor I.

—*Ember Rising*, p. 136 |  | ”

**A****iren** is a female rabbit. The widow of Snoden, she is now the wife of Wilfred Longtreader and the mother of Louise, Layra, and fifteen unnamed war orphans. She is the twin sister of Helmer.

## Biography

### Early life

Airen was the twin sister of Helmer. She and her brother grew up together in First Warren, with young Airen taking delight in teasing, tormenting, and bullying Helmer into various activities. On one occasion, Helmer and another young buck named Snoden swam to Forbidden Island. Airen was furious with the pair for not including her in the adventure.

At some point, Airen married Snoden, with whom she had two daughters: Louise and Layra.

When Morbin Blackhawk overtook First Warren, Helmer was able to escape, while Airen was not so fortunate. Snoden was killed during the preylord's occupation, and Airen herself was kept under surveillance by Daggler and his Black Band. For the sake of her daughters, Airen complied with Morbin's regime and asked that the Resistance —led by Moonlight—leave her family alone. Later, the Black Band came and took Layra away while Airen and her daughters were on an outing.

Airen made inquiries after the fate of Layra and was informed that her daughter had been killed and that Louise would share her sister's fate if Airen continued to pry. Devastated by the loss of her daughter, Airen confined herself to her home and became a shadow of her family self. As a result, the brunt of caring for the family farm fell to Louise.

### Remembered and reunited

While traveling through the Great Wood towards First Warren, Helmer told Picket Longtreader about his and Airen's youthful wandering through the same forest. Picket was surprised, having heard nothing of Helmer's family previously. Later, Helmer discussed her with Lord Hewson, who contributed to their youthful pranks. Upon arriving in First Warren, Helmer immediately sought out Airen, believing-incorrectly-that she'd be part of the city's resistance.

Helmer and Picket found Airen living in disillusionment and continual grief for Layra. Helmer was greatly distraught, blaming himself for not being there for Airen when Layra was taken and murdered by Daggler. Later, Airen was rescued from Daggler's band by Moonlight and his bucks. She was taken to the Citadel of Dreams, where she and Louise were reunited.

The morning after Picket and Helmer were rescued from Daggler and safe in the Citadel of Dreams, Airen, Louise, Picket, and Helmer all sat down for a meal. They were all surprised and elated to find Airen making casual jokes at the expense of Helmer, evidencing that she was beginning to finally be healed from her years of grief. Airen was later present when her brother, Picket, and Whitbie Joveson returned from an audience with Winslow. After the Battle for First Warren, Airen was introduced to Princess Emma Joveson by her brother.

### New happiness

Airen returned to her home with Weezie and Picket, the latter on a short leave ordered by Emma. When Picket was recalled, Airen saw him and Weezie walking to the house and smiled before walking inside. As Picket bid her farewell, Airen recalled Helmer's own youthful departure from the farm, and her sorrow that he never came home to stay. She was surprised when Picket voices his assumption that Helmer was with King Jupiter's army when the king was betrayed. She accepted Picket's scarf as a token that he would return and assured him that the farm is his home.

Airen then bid farewell to Weezie, who accompanied Picket back to the palace. Weezie mentioned her later when expressing her intent to fight if necessary to Picket. Following the War for All Natalia, Airen sat with Picket and Weezie-now married-and Picket's other family members at the first Feast of the Mending. She and Wilfred Longtreader married as well and adopted fifteen children orphaned as a result of the war. Airen also gave the family farm to her daughter and Picket as a wedding gift.

## Physical appearance

Airen is said to be “thin [and] fragile-looking” when she is reunited with Helmer before the Battle for First Warren.

## Personality and traits

Though once a young doe filled with spirit and lust for life, Airen became mournful and hollow, traits that grew from the deaths of her husband and daughter. Grieving their loss and fearing that she would be robbed of her other daughter, she grew frail and distant, eating little and spending most of her time on her favorite chair. When Helmer returned after their many years apart, she barely reacted, unable to rise above her sorrow.

After being defended by her brother, saved by her daughter Weezie and Moonlight's rabbits, and cares for by them all, Airen began to come alive again. She soon became dedicated to joining her brother and their new friends in the fight to free their home city. Airen also regained some of her old playfulness, poking fun at her brother in the company of others. She also grew quite fond of his apprentice - and her future son-in-law - Picket.

## Family trees

 - Helmer's Family Tree -

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

 - The Longtreader Family -

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

### Helmer

**Helmer**: I do. And she is ten times as ornery as I. Her name is Airen, and she's my twin.

—*Ember Rising*, p. 55 |  | ”

Helmer was Airen's twin brother, and the two enjoyed a close connection. Though both came to be known for their strong wills, Airen was the more forceful, successfully pushing her brother into activities he was reluctant to be involved in. She also seems to have been eager to join in his mischief, and expressed great displeasure at being left out. Airen was also deeply saddened when her brother left to join the army and missed him terribly.

Upon first being reunited with her brother, Airen was initially too consumed with grief to react much to his return. She met his tearful greetings and assurances with the harsh news that he had returned too late to save her husband and one of her daughters. Despite this, Helmer did his best to care for her, fighting fiercely when the Black Band arrived to capture them. After this harrowing experience, Airen later embraced Helmer with tears in her eyes.

### Snoden

Snoden was Airen's first husband and the father of her twin daughters. A friend to both Airen and Helmer, he and his future brother-in-law incurred Airen's wrath by swimming to Forbidden Island without her. Sno, as he was known, was dearly loved, and his murder was a cruel blow to Airen and their children.

### Layra and Louise

Layra and Louise are Airen's twin daughters, and all the dearer to her after the death of their father. Tragically, Layra was taken from Airen as well, and this loss coupled with the threat of losing Louise as well broke Airen's spirit. Unfortunately, this left Weezie to shoulder the burden of caring for their home alone, and she even contemplated leaving Airen briefly to join the Cause. However, Louise was quick to join the effort to rescue Airen from the Black Band, and was as pleasantly surprised as any by Airen's signs of renewed presence.

### Picket Longtreader

Picket was Helmer's beloved apprentice, and Airen was quick to develop a fondness for the young buck as well. She readily welcomed him into her home, and considered him a member of the family. This later became official when Picket married Weezie, and through their union Airen became a grandmother to several young rabbits, including Jo Longtreader.

### Wilfred Longtreader

Wilfred was an old friend of Helmer's, but whether he and Airen knew each other before the Siege of First Warren is unknown. Having both lost loved ones in the War for All Natalia, the two married and took a number of orphans into their care.

## Trivia

* The name "Airen" originated in the United Kingdom and means "my love" or "loved person."

## References

1. ↑ As revealed in *Ember Rising*.
2. ↑ *Ember's End*
3. ↑ *Ember Rising*, p. 220
4. ↑ [1]

*This article has received The Green Ember of excellence.*