Rickstan was born in the family home of Dale, living comfortably and happily in the blissful unawareness that his Mother and Father harbored a secret, a secret that did not seem to change or quibble their devoted and instinctive love for their Son. He grew up quite unremarkably like any other infant. He babbled, he rolled, he filled a changing rag and he threw his mushy food once he stopped being nurtured by the breast. It was clear to his Mother and Father that he could be a little naughty but lovely thing, this baby-like troublesome spirit was something they loved to endure, his Mother most of all. Rickstan did not spend so much time with his Father during his early infancy and was mostly always in the company and care of his Mother. His Father was for many weeks at a time on the road, traveling, carrying goods and wares on a cart for trade for their small town, coming and going in all weathers and seasons, even the harshness of cold winters. His Mother, though, was not one for being lonely. Yes, she would miss her husband wretchedly and always welcome him home with an open arm and a kiss, but she always had her Son who she could fuss and love, and there were other’s close by who could come by with their own children, so Rickstan could play and copy.

This continued until the Autumn of Rickstan’s first year. As was custom, his Father was away on another trip and had been for several days; not due back for many more. Rickstan was sat on a mat before the warm hearth of the cottage fire, bouncing and talking in his little way with a toy. This was his distraction so his Mother could have some moments to prepare them some food. She stood, cheerful and placid, a smile on her lips as she rolled the pin over the dough, listening to the prattle and whispers of her son. As she rubbed her hands on her little white apron about her waist, the door of the cottage flung open, bringing with it the harsh wind, sucking leaves and fallen Autumn foliage onto the floor of the entrance. His Mother turned and paled as a man stepped over the threshold, a wicked unfriendly grin on his face, dressed from head to foot in rich garb of fur and dark embroided linen and leather. More men seemed to follow the man, shadowing the light which came through the door, the only entrance to the house now blocked by heavy padded flesh and steel.

Rickstan in his ignorant infancy knew nothing of what happened proceeding this unwelcome and abrupt entrance. When the richer man of the group approached him, he simply babbled and smiled, holding up one of the toys to show him. Even when the man sniggered cruelly and left, followed by the heavy treading steps of the other men, he continued to play. For all he knew his mother was sleeping or playing a game. Perhaps that was for the best.

His earliest memory was that of a rough, jolting ride on his Fathers cart, passing through some pasture unknown to him, between surrounding forests and mountains, up and down cliff face terrain or soppy moss-grown paths. This was his life now, the shadow clutching always to his Father’s side and waking up to new galleries and scenes every dawn. Dale was long behind, his Father decided it was best that way. He wanted to save Rickstan the awful truth of what happened; maybe even in the vain hopes of forgetting himself. From that tragic day, Rickstan’s Father didn’t treat him the same, more like a traveling apprentice than a Son. Even as Rickstan grew and grew till his Eleventh Winter on this earth, this was what he grew accustomed. He knew he loved his Father, very devotedly. Yes, he was rough, thoughtful, even thoughtless; a brood shrew thing, who over the years grew more and more sorrowful and a shell of his former self. Age brought with it curiosity and as much as Rickstan asked; and was promptly reprimanded, he kept asking questions about his past. Who was his Mother? Why is she not with them now? His questions however were answered one night, when still in the cart bordering the banks of a river, he braved once more to ask and was told everything.

>>> Continue reading Rick's Past Here <<<

Since Arriving in Bree-Land, Rick became the owner of Laine Family Farm, South of the Town of Bree. The Farm was nothing grand and was quite run down when he first got it. It housed himself, Cedwyn and then his Son. Rick, his brother Gythleth and Cedwyn were the only workers but over time the farm prospered and more workers were hired, more land was purchased, houses and cottages close by were also purchased and the family moved into the large house neighboring the farmland. The houses and cottages which were situated on the Laine Land were leased out for long and short stays, becoming another income revenue for the family. The Farm also dealt with deliveries of goods, livestock were now roaming the fields, a mill was erected and used for production of flour and grain. The Farm still runs to this present time and employs several workers.

As the farm was prospering, things in the personal life of Rick were not so enriching. Over time the marriage between himself and Cedwyn dissolved and his relationship with Nessya grew more permanent. Many saw it coming given their closeness before and after his marriage. His marriage was agreed upon being separated and further agreements were made in regards to his Son, who he shared care for with Cedwyn. Both remain friends and equal in partnership for Averick's upbringing. Rick was friends with Nessya from almost the first moment he came to Bree so it was no wonder they had such a strong, sarcasm-fueled relationship. Both of them married eventually and live happily to this day in the family home.

His Brother Gythleth took a house in the same Hamlet with his Daughter Violet and became co-owner with Rick in the care of Laine farm. Where Rick dealt with more practical employments and tasks, Gythleth prided himself on having more of the brains and more often than not took on the mundane tasks of book keeping, finances, orders (all those nasty paperworks).

Rick often frequents Bree and the Inn, always accompanied by his Dog, his loyal companion for a couple of years, though there can be times he'd skip Bree all together and settle for a calm day in the Hamlet, away from the world and it's annoyances..and avoid most of the people who regular the place too. 

With the Farm with a good steady pace of orders and business and with several hands to take the wheel, Rick finally felt ready for his big venture and plans were finally made for his return to Dale. With Averick and Nessya, they set of in the Spring. On the way it was discovered after many months of trying that Nessya was finally with child. This news was confirmed in Lake-Town where, much to their surprise, Rick also met Aillstan, his Mothers husband who he long assumed had died when he was a boy. They spent several weeks there, in which Rick finally had the chance to pay his respects to his Mother where she was laid to rest. Aillstan agreed to come back to Bree with his long lost "Son" and set up a home in there, not wishing to be parted from him again.

Back in Bree, some time since the long anticipated Dale trip, Nessya delivered a baby girl called Naiya, Ricks Daughter and Sister to Averick.