The Tavern Down at Old Caernarvon (closed for heartofcourage)

[KieranSoares]

"What's wrong?" He asked quietly, stopping her once more. "Aida..." He pulled her into a gentle hug, and she could feel that it wasn't just for her. He was seeking her comfort for the first time in their lives... "Don't go..." he muttered.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't want me, Armen." Aida whispered as he pulled her into a hug, seeking comfort from her in a way that she'd never seen before. "You don't need me. You never have."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I always have..." He whispered in return, kissing her cheek. "It's just taken too long to get up the courage to tell you..." He held her like a child clinging to their guardian. "Either that, or it's taken too long to get over my pride..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But why now? Armen, you've never cared before." Aida murmured, still not daring to open her heart to the man who had broken it so many times in the past.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Because I'm an idiot, and it took almost losing my own life and you to see that I'm worthless without you, and you're the one person who's brought any good out from me since I was sixteen." Armen opened up his heart to her with these words, laying himself emotionally bare for her to recoil from or accept.

 

[heartofcourage]

Aida still said nothing, too scared to actually let him know how she felt. Instead, she held him tighter, hugging him for all that she was worth. She didn't want to lose him, but the sudden changes in Armen were unexpected and she knew it would take some time to get use to it.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've treated you so badly for so long... I want a chance to apologize and make up for it," he muttered quietly. "I've taken you to my bed for no other reason but pleasure to get my mind off the world... I've left you for days wondering if I got myself killed. I've left you alone fearing the city... but not anymore. You don't deserve being treated like a toy just because I was angry." He lifted her head then. "I need you... I've known that for a long time. I've just been too stupid to show it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Aida was crying as she listened to him confess quietly. The moment that he lifted her head, she whimpered, sniffling as she looked down into her eyes. She had wanted all of that and so much more, but it was so hard to let herself be open with him.

"Please don't break my heart, Armen." She begged him, sniffing again as a fresh wave of tears appeared. "I've wanted to hear that for so long, but I don't want you to break my heart."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't want to break your heart," he told her, his hands rising to her cheeks. "I've never wanted to break your heart, but I know I have." He pressed his forehead to hers, his eyes closing. "I love you, Aida... I can finally say it without being afraid..." With that, he kissed her lips. So different from the claiming kisses of the past in the throes of passion or in passing on days when things went right for a change, usually resulting in such a heated night. He was soft, slow, and gentle, three things he'd hated to be in the past, but loved to be for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Aida whimpered as Armen claimed her lips with a kiss that was everything she could have ever wished for from him. He was sweet, kind, loving...all of the things that he'd never been before. Her arms slowly slipped around his neck as she drew herself closer to his body.

When the kiss ended she hugged him tightly, still crying. She loved this man, so much so that it hurt sometimes. There he was, giving her all the love that she could stand and handle.

"I love you too." Aida whispered, her head cradled against his strong neck.

 

[KieranSoares]

Armen sat down with her, laying his head against hers. "Wherever we end up... I'm going to make a home for us and we're going to be honest people. I'm going to work with my family and earn a real living. I'll make you happy, I promise..."

 

[heartofcourage]

There were no words to say at that moment. Aida simply nodded, knowing that he would try his hardest to give her everything that he thought she needed. She loved him and she wanted to be with him for as long as he wanted her.

 

[KieranSoares]

When the family finally set off, most of them rode on horses while Gabriel drove the wagon with the mules with Elise beside him. Armen rode side-by-side with Aida, holding her hand, and Marri and Durban did about the same, little Gabriel in their arms interchangeably. Lysander rode alongside the mules. Dalton and his centaurs came to escort them to the shore where a ship awaited them and Durban paid for their passage. It would stop in Castle Town before moving on to Dumfries.

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri hugged Dalton tightly as she dismounted her steed. She still couldn't believe that she was leaving behind her childhood home to go across the sea. She pulled away from Dalton and let out a long breath.

"Watch the tavern for us, alright?" Marri asked her dear friend, turning as Durban stopped at her side with Gabriel slumbering soundly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course. We'll see it taken care of," Dalton promised softly, and when she pulled back, she saw tears in his eyes at the thought of his dear sister leaving him. "We'll come and visit now and again, my dear. I'd love to see that lad and any other children you have grow up."

"An' yer always welcome, friend," Durban reached out to shake his hand.

"Go on, then. And be well."

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri couldn't help the deep wrenching sobs that came from her chest as she took Durban's hand and let him lead her away from Dalton and towards the boat. She couldn't even look back as they boarded and the ship set sail. She never thought in a million years she'd be leaving her home behind for good...

 

[KieranSoares]

The journey was calm and slow, leaving plenty of time for the family to spend time together or for each individual couple to be together. Armen spent most of his time with Aida. It was mostly void of speaking, but that was simply because they didn't need words to enjoy their quiet time together watching the sea roll by. Durban was all too glad for time with Marri, and little Gabriel loved the attention from his grandparents.

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri found time to catch up on the sleep that she had forgone while on the search for Durban. He was a silent strength that she needed to get through one of the hardest times in her life. Her parents seemed to enjoy little Gabriel and her grandfather had taken a shine to his great-grandson. Her brother had been quiet as was his way and Aida seemed to have come to terms with the new bounds of their relationship.

With a sigh, Marri snuggled closer to her husband's chest. Gabriel had been swept away by her mother after he'd been fed that morning and she had crawled back into bed, keeping Durban all to herself.

"You've been so good about all of this, Ban." She murmured softly, moving her head to look into her husband's eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Good? Nah, I'm nothin' but trouble." Durban smiled down at her adoringly and kissed her forehead. "Ye've been a saint, 'specially in helpin' yer brother get back into th'family an' welcomin' Aida. She's a sweet lass, from what little I got t'know of 'er."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She is very sweet. And he seems to be in love with her completely. I just hope that he doesn't mess things up because she's too good to let slip away." Marri murmured softly, listening to her husband's heart.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yer lucky I don't go an' flirt with 'er m'self," Durban grinned and teased. "Nah, she's sweet but I like a little fire in my lass." With a deep, comfortable sigh, he let his eyes close and he slowly began to nod off. It didn't take long, after so many years of having to sleep whenever he had a moment outside surviving.

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri smiled as Durban slipped into slumber. She rested against his chest for a long moment before she lifted her head to murmur against his ear.

"This is the first time we've not had Gabriel or danger waiting for us." She whispered softly. "If you sleep the day away, we'll miss our chance to explore one another again."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yer never gonna let me rest, eh?" He muttered with a smile and opened his eyes, drawing her up until she was straddling his waist. He lifted his hands to her cheeks, leaning up to kiss her. "I thought y'were only interested in explorin' th' world, no' me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're my favorite thing to explore, love." Marri murmured, kissing him sweetly as he cupped her cheeks. "So many interesting things to see."

She kissed his chin, his throat, nuzzling against his heated skin as her hands reached to pull his shirt away from his chest.

 

[KieranSoares]

Once more his broad chest was bared to her eyes, his rippling muscles and scars revealed. His hands instinctively found her hips, caressing their curves. "Interestin'? Hell, I'm nothin'. Wait til I take ya t'Mongolia." He intended to take her the most beautiful places he'd ever been, and their children too.