The Long Road Home (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Sarah watched as he left before she went back to the keep. She invited her father, her mother, Shia, Ian, anyone else who wanted to go and had the kitchens prepare a feast not only for the gathering but also for those in town that wanted it. She would make sure that no one in town questioned her rule or their friendship with the centaurs.

Shortly before dusk, Sarah escorted her parents towards the guards that would lead them to the encampment. Ian guided the wagon loaded with food, her parents seated beside them. She road alongside Shia, just as she had when she was a little girl.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the humans arrived, the centaurs and a few other sorts of were folk among their tribe were waiting with everything they had spared for the gathering feast, which was an incredible amount considering the lean winter. The Hirim welcomed them all with polite and proper greetings which quickly gave way to more casual kindness and gentility. A huge long house stood in the middle of their settlement, in which was a tall, long table. Chairs had been made for the occasion as the tribe had no need for them. At the entrance waited their hosts; the broad centaur Linus, and beside him, an ancient werefox who was most definitely Danto by how everyone seemed to bow before him. How a Fox had become the head elder of a centaur tribe was certainly a thought in a few humans' minds.

"They've arrived, Danto," Linus spoke softly. The Fox lifted his silver head, his eyes clouded and blind. He tucked his hands into his sleeves to ward away cold and shuffled forward. Linus guided him with a hand on his back and on his shoulder.

"Where...?" The Fox nearly whispered, as though he didn't have the strength for volume.

Linus looked to Sarah, taking her hand and Danto's to bring them together. Once the Fox's silver hand was placed in her own, Danto smiled warmly and held her hand with both his own. "Lady Sarah Monaghan... Welcome to the Hirim village... I am Danto Cour."

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah took the fox's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Danto, I am sorry it took so long for me to come and greet you properly, but let me say that I welcome you and everyone in your tribe here to Monaghan. May your time here be prosperous."

"And Linus, thank you very much for allowing us to have this dinner this evening. It is much needed, I think." She said with a smile towards the centaur as Shia and Ian helped to bundle in the meat that had been prepared that afternoon.

 

[KieranSoares]

Danto greeted everyone Sarah had brought with her, and he seemed to know who Shia was even though they'd never met. Many people now knew of the wolf who stood behind Sarah as her defender, steward, and father-figure. When everyone was settled, Danto spoke a soft blessing over their meal and they all tucked in. Ian, beside Sarah, seemed to enjoy the company of the centaurs and werefolk immensely, being so comfortable with them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah spoke with Linus mostly, talking through the terms that they had both come up with that would benefit both his tribe and Monaghan. Any extra crops would be given to the poor of Monaghan. Extra meat and trade would be given to the werecreatures. It seemed to be a good trade for everyone and she was sure that she would not regret her decision to let them stay.

She glanced to Ian from time to time, giving him a soft smile as he looked so at ease. Perhaps he was the man that was strong enough to be a leader with her. She wouldn't be making a bad decision in marrying him. She reached out and tenderly touched his forearm, a smile on her lips as he glanced towards her at her touch.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian didn't care who saw in that moment as he leaned over to kiss his love, making a few people chuckle. No one minded and many were quite glad that Sarah had a strong, fair, and respectable love whom had always been an honest and trustworthy sort. Stephen and Jessie were especially happy that their daughter had found someone to make her happy finally.

The dinner could not have been better, and afterward the humans were treated to Tuari music and homemade wine and cordial beside blazing bonfires. The Hirim, despite their serious demeanor, were happy and joyful people when unburdened by troubles.

 

[heartofcourage]

The kiss caught Sarah by surprise, but she let herself relax as Ian showed everyone around them just how they felt about one another. It was a beautiful moment, she thought to herself when the kiss ended and she was left looking into Ian's honest and loving gaze.

At the dance, Sarah simply sat and watched, smiling as Shia and her mother took part. She kept glancing towards Ian, watching his features in the low light of the campfires. She leaned over and kissed his cheek tenderly, trying to make more of an effort to show him how she felt.

"I love you." She whispered against his ear, a smile on her lips as she pulled back to look into his eyes again.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian chuckled with appreciation and amusement at her loving attention, and he wrapped an arm around her. "Glad t' hear it. I was starting to wonder." He grinned in his charming, rugged way to let her know that he was just teasing. "I love you too, Sarah darlin'."

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah smiled at him, a genuine smile that he hadn't seen in so long. Her heart felt light for the first time since she was young. She felt like the future wouldn't be so dark. Ian did wonders for her and knowing that her kingdom was going to be secure also did a lot to help her realize that she was doing the right things for her people.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian's smile softened, and he drew her closer to his side to kiss her once more. He remained close beside her for the rest of the night, stealing kisses and silently showing her just how glad he was to be beside her. After a kind sendoff from Danto and Linus late that night, Sarah and those who'd come with her returned to Monaghan town. As they returned to the keep, Ian had Sarah's hand in his own and Martin and Jessie were just behind them with Shia. Ian was oblivious to the world except for his love. All the good happening around them had left him feeling light-hearted and carefree.

 

[heartofcourage]

As they approached the keep, she leaned across her saddle to whisper against his ear. "Spend the night with me?" She murmured, looking him in the eye with a slight smile on her lips. "The choice is yours, of course, but I would make it worth your time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's worth my time anyway," Ian grinned back at her, leaning closer to steal a kiss and take her hand. "After all, I'd better get used to it if I'm spending th'rest o' my nights with ya after we're married, aye?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I hope you make up your mind and marry me soon." Sarah said, glancing at him with a soft smile on her face, one that he hadn't seen in a long time. "Because you never know...another handsome man might come along and steal me away."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I made up my mind. All we need is a date," Ian nodded. "I won' let you get away, you know I'm too stubborn." As they arrived, the stable hands came to take their horses and they headed into Monaghan Keep. Jessie and Stephen wished their daughter and her love a goodnight and retired to bed hand-in-hand. Shia quietly went off to his own room after making sure all was well as he always did.

Ian had put away their cloaks and came to take Sarah's hand to kiss it with a dashing smile. "Milady."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll set a date tomorrow." Sarah said simply as Ian told her that he wasn't going to let her get away from him again.

She smiled, no man having ever told her that before. She had never felt good enough to be fought for, but Ian seemed as if he was ready to do just that. When he took her hand and kissed it, she gave him a look.

"Never milady to you, Ian." She said softly. "I never want to hear that word from your lips."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know I'm jus' teasing, love," Ian assured her softly with an adoring smile. "Come on, I want you all to myself. And y'can punish me if y'feel like I need it, aye?" He chuckled and took both her hands to lead her away.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah laughed softly as he took her hands to lead her away. The moment that they entered her chambers, she was kissing him. She had wanted to kiss him as passionately as she could all night, her lips clinging to his as her fingers tangled in the collar of his shirt.

 

[KieranSoares]

It wasn't until Ian realized he'd forgotten to breathe that their lips parted, and he chuckled at her as his hands smoothed down her waist to her hips. "You've been waitin' t'do that," he murmured before he gave her back what she'd given and more, pressing her slowly back against her chamber door while one hand rose to slip through her long, dark hair and the other slid round to her the small of her back.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course I have. Since the moment I realized just how much you meant to me." Sarah said as she found herself trapped against the chamber door, his fingers slipping through her hair as he pulled her tighter against his body.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian's heart felt like it was about to leap out of his chest at her words. "Ye've got no idea how... how amazing it is t'hear tha'..." He whispered as he met her gaze. "Y'make me feel like th'luckiest man in th'world, Sarah... I'm so glad I held on t'my love fer you." He engaged her in another soulful kiss as his hands worked around to her back to seek out the laces of her gown, pulling them slowly out of their ties.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah whimpered as he kissed her again, letting her feel the passion that he had for her. She felt her gown loosening around her, pulling from her body. Having Ian make love to her was about the best thing that she could think of right then. He loved her and wouldn't harm her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Slipping her gown and underclothes away without hesitation, Ian didn't even think about bothering to take her to her bed. He trapped her against the door, reaching just past her to lock it with a smirk before he tossed aside his vest and tunic and pressed close. It was clear to see and feel that he was as aroused as could be and he wanted her so badly he could taste it. He dove right into exploring her skin as he loved to do, his kisses hot and lingering over her throat and breasts with the utmost need.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah whimpered from the heat with which Ian took control. She instantly ran her fingers through his hair as she was pinned, his lips caressing over her shoulders and throat. He was aroused and she encouraged him in everything that he was doing.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ian could hardly wait even as he finally shed the last bits of his own clothing. Before either of them knew it, he had lifted her up and wrapped her legs about his waist with her back set to the door. Though his lean frame was strong, it belied his real strength and stamina from being born and raised an independent farmer. He was rock-steady even as he plunged with gusto between her thighs to seek that amazing feeling of taking his love once more. He had no more time or patience to lead her on through teasing kisses and touches. He simply wanted her too badly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sarah gasped as Ian lifted her in his strong arms and wrapped her legs around his waist. She let out a soft moan as he pressed her back against the door, his strong frame holding her in place as he plunged into her body with all of the love and attention that she could have ever wanted. He gave it to her in spades, no matter when she asked or how she acted.

"Ian..." She whimpered, her lips pressing tightly against his own as he plunged into her core over and over again. "Dear Gods..."