A Place Of Ones Own (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I don't know. Kate has more friends and followers then I can keep track of." Annie commented, looking over towards her little sister and the mysterious wolf. "She looks more comfortable with herself though."

The family rode for a while longer and Annie felt better the more her brothers laughed and the more that Julia relaxed. It also seemed to have an effect on her husband as he held her a little tighter, kissed her a little more freely. It seemed like their troubles were a thing of the past.

Turning her head, she looped her arm around his neck and drew him down for a gentle, heart warming kiss. "After last night, you're all I can think about, love." She murmured softly, blushing slightly under his gaze.

 

[KieranSoares]

David's soft chuckle answered her words as he buried his face against her slender neck. "I almost wish last night hadn't ended..." he lifted his head to whisper into her ear with a grin before he nibbled lightly on her earlobe as his arms tightened about her waist.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie giggled as he nibbled on her ear, her husband's strong arms tightening around her belly. She adored this man, she thought to herself as she tilted her head to kiss her husband fully once more.

Julia watched the two young lovers with a soft smile, her own hand resting against Brogan's knee. "He's so good to her, love." She murmured softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Why d'ya think I let 'im 'ave her?" Brogan murmured with a smile. "They're not too different from you an' I when we're together." He laid a broad hand on her belly and kissed her cheek. Phearson was now walking at a lazy, slow pace that fit the slow way most of them wanted to take the day.

They had their peace that morning, but come afternoon, trouble returned in the form of a report from Southern Scotland, from King Gale who'd taken over after King Brian's passing and Marianne's stepping down. Hundreds of Erygonians had been sighted landing near Aberdeen, and their lack of military could do nothing about it. But these Erygonians were not interested in the town and left it and all others be. They were enraged at Inverness and came straight for it without hardly stopping. More had landed at Dumfries and were doing just the same.

When told this in the Great Hall with his family around him, Julia could see all Brogan wanted to do was just put his head down and, if not cry, then simply lay there and let them come. He was so tired, so heavily scarred, and terrified for the lives of his wife and children. But the strong Scotsman refused such weakness, and he stood from his chair beside Julia and Kitty, facing the messengers who'd come to him. Strength radiated from him like heat from the sun as rage boiled and writhed in his chest.

With an even, but booming tone that let on his anger beneath, Brogan spoke in a way none of his family had ever heard, to these disheartened and terrified messengers. "You listen t'me lads. Inverness 'as survived the worst Scotland an' Norway 'as t'offer, an' survived certain destruction since th' day we gave it the dragon's name. I want you two an' any others you can gather t'run fast as y'can to Edinburgh, London, and Caernarvon. You get Gale's army up an' ready, an' King Henry's as well with Ashien. An' in Caernarvon, you find the centaurs like m'wife did near two decades ago. You tell Dalton to gather all the centaurs, all the werecreatures, all the living fighters of any race 'e possibly can. Don't order them t'come to us. They'll know what I mean when you tell them t'be ready t'defend Britannia- t' go an' fight wherever th' Erygonians are. I want one man t'go to Ireland, to Monaghan, and tell Sarah an' Ian that we need them an' anyone th'King of Ireland can spare. Lastly, I want a man 'eaded to Norway t'Kayla. Christopher'll know what needs t'be done."

Seeing the men shrink at the daunting task of gathering literally all their allies from around the isles and in fear of losing the war, Brogan stepped around the table and reached out, finding the men's shoulders. "Listen lads," he now said softly to these men less than half his age. "It's a huge task, an' it serves a purpose bigger'n all of us. But jus' remember when yer ridin'; y'may well be savin' the lives of more'n jus' Inverness." He sent them on their way and they hurried with renewed energy. The hall fell silent as Brogan's blind eyes gazed toward the door and he stood contemplating his orders and the fate of not only his clan, but his country, his entire Isle and it's sister isle of Ireland.

Slowly, Brogan turned to face his gathered family. All of his children, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews were gathered, save Kayla, Christopher, Ashien, and Dylandra for now. He let out a silent sigh and he spoke to them, "I want you all t'meet me outside t'night jus' at sunset. We're goin' t'have a bonfire an' forget all this for a night. I'll 'ave th' kitchen make us a meal we can take out with us. No sad thoughts. Those o' you who can play bring yer instruments. An' the younger'll bring anythin' they need for their games. T'night's fer family only." He then added, speaking up, "Ria... that means you too."

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie hated the pain in her father's gaze as he insisted that they continue on with the festivities despite the bad news that they had just received. She was about to go with him when Julia moved to his side, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly. Her stepmother was a constant source of peace for her father and she thanked her immensely for that.

"Why don't you go and get some of the horses saddled, love?" Annie murmured, looking up at David. "I need to speak to my cousins and siblings in private."

She kissed her husband's cheek and then gave all of them a silent signal to meet in private to discuss what had just been revealed. After everyone else had disbursed to prepare for the bonfire, Annie ushered Kate, Ciaran, Gabriel, Elise, Ruben, Seamus, Eli, and Leon into the room that her mother had always used privately off the main hall. The other cousins were too young to be involved in this conversation.

Annie was the first that spoke, letting out a long sigh to gather her thoughts. "I think we can all agree that our parents are not up to this task." She looked at each one gathered in turn. "This is our fight."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ruben nodded immediately, sided by Eli and Leon who'd grown into huge men like their father. "You couldn't be more right," Ruben agreed. "Do you have anything in mind?"

"The military here needs more leaders. Our parents are tired and hurting, they shouldn't be at the helm anymore," Gabriel added. "Ruben and I have been out there, and the men are losing hope the weaker Aunt Julia gets and the more Uncle Brogan learns he can't get around having been blinded."

"Kate?" Ciaran looked to his sister. He knew she was an able leader, not so different from their father. Then from the shadows behind Kate came her new constant companion since she'd returned from her sudden foray up north. He was silent, but laid a supportive hand on her shoulder. Now up close, Annie recognized his face. He looked... incredibly like the man who'd killed her mother. But when their eyes met, she could see it wasn't the same wolf.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie hesitated for a brief moment at the wolf that supported her sister. She had bad memories of the night her mother was murdered, but she forced herself to let out a breath and relax. Kate was deep in thought, mulling over her options.

"We know that our fathers will not leave Inverness, but I think it would be in the best interest of everyone if we cleared the city again. Send the children and our mothers further into the highlands where the wolves will be less likely to go." Annie suggested, looking towards Elise. "Elise, I would like you to organize this. Ma and Aunt Marri and Selena and Gran should be included."

"I'll speak to them in the morning." She said in her soft voice.

"I think we all must be on the same page." Kate finally said softly. "If we are not, then Inverness will fall. We need someone to lead the archers, someone to lead the horsemen, someone to lead the infantry."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I can take the Infantry with Gabriel," Ruben nodded.

"I think I can handle the archers," Ciaran spoke up.

"Annie, you're the best with horses, an' Leon's a fine rider 'imself. Seamus an' I can take up th' wall guard," Eli offered.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would suggest that we gather our parents in the morning and share our plans." Annie said, looking at Kate for confirmation. When that red hair bobbed, she knew that they had just cast themselves in very dangerous roles.

"No talk of this tonight. Tonight is for family." Annie said softly.

Their meeting broke up soon afterwards, each going to gather what they would need for that evening. Annie made her way to her parent's room, knocking before she entered. Julia looked pale, withdrawn, as she rested in a comfortable chair by the fire. Her Da was by her side, holding her hand tightly.

"Ma. You look tired." Annie said softly, moving to take her other hand and squeezing it. "Maybe you should see Grandpa."

"I'm fine, love." Julia said fondly, giving her daughter a smile. "Just tired."

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan kissed her hand lightly, a simple gesture that told her he didn't believe a word she'd just said. David was with Rho and Sam at Annie's opposite side, both boys sitting on his lap as he showed them a book of Greek Myths. Ria sat at Brogan's opposite side, looking into the flames, contemplating what her life had come to with her son's return.

Everyone was a bit quiet, but it was an enjoyable night of simplicity.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie let the comment be, knowing that her father would push her to be checked out before Julia's exhaustion progressed. She smiled and patted her mother's hand, soaking in the silence that surrounded them besides the sound of David's voice.

"I remember when I was little, Da use to read me fairy tales all night long. Until Kate and Ciaran started begging for attention." Annie commented, giving her brothers a little smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You used to read to us," Rho remembered. "Why did you stop?"

"'Cause David stole her," Sam grinned, and both attacked their beloved brother-in-law and pinned him on his back. David laughed and simply gave in.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And I seem to remember that a certain young man told me that he was too old for fairy tales." Annie said with a smile, watching as her brothers wrestled with her husband.

One day he would make a wonderful father. He was always so good with her brothers and they loved him beyond reason.

 

[KieranSoares]

The three continued their romping, and it was clear that, for a time, the twins' hurts were forgotten. It was midnight before they headed to bed. No one wanted the peace to end. Brogan would bring Julia to Vincenzo in the morning, and the older children of the family would come together after with all their parents gathered before them. Kate and Annie would speak for them, as they would essentially be taking the place of their parents.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie held David's hand the entire walk to their home, kissing his cheek before they stepped across the doorway. "You're so good to my brothers, love." She murmured as they started lighting the candles to give them enough light to see by.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Why wouldn't I be? I love them to death and I hope I have sons like them one day, and that they'll have the same kind of relationship with my sons as they have with me." He then grinned and added, "Or daughters. I don't mind which." He returned to her side and kissed her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Who says we won't have both? Many times over." Annie teased, grinning at him as he kissed her cheek. "But there's things that we have to do first."

"I talked with my cousins and siblings. We are going to take over for our parents in this battle. They simply can't continue on with this fight." Annie commented, taking a seat at their kitchen table with a long sigh. "And I worry about Julia. She looks so tired and worn."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I noticed..." David sighed. "You know I'm not going to let you go without me." He sat down beside her and kissed her temple. "We'll end this war and set things right, and then we'll get ready for our own family." He offered a reassuring smile. "I'm sure it'd do your parents a lot of good to become grandparents."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know Da would be over the moon. I think it's a little strange to have a new baby coming that won't be much older then our own." Annie said softly, excited that David was talking about their family like it was an absolute certainty.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've been thinking... maybe there might be someone out there who can help him regain his sight. I've heard of incredible things about the Lunar healers," David offered. "I don't want to get hopes up but it's worth a try."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps you could talk to him tomorrow after he takes Ma to see Grandpa." Annie said softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him into a tight hug. "I love you so much, David."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I love you too, Annie," he murmured in return as he pulled her tightly against his strong, lean chest. Despite such immense strength from his profession, he was equally as gentle, a trait he'd learned from her own father.

 

[heartofcourage]

Hugging her husband tightly for another few moments, Annie finally pulled away and looked into his honest gaze. "Let's go to bed. Tomorrow will be a busy day."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's a huge understatement, love," he grinned and wrapped his arm around her waist to walk with her to their bedroom. He settled in easily with a deep sigh, knowing it could be one of the last long rests he'd have for a while if he and the others were taking over.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie slept peacefully at her husband's side until the wee hours of the morning. She was brought from her slumber by the restless movements of the horses in the stables. They would grow restless when storms were brewing or when wild animals were about. Most of the times they would settle and she would go back to sleep, but the longer it went on, she knew that she had to go and check on them.

"I'm going to check on the horses." She whispered against David's ear, kissing his cheek gently before she slipped out of bed.

She pulled on a thick cloak and her boots, exiting the house and making the short distance to the stables. The door was pulled open easily and she stepped inside. The horses were snorting, pawing the ground as their nervous energy filled the air.

"It's alright." Annie crooned softly, preparing to give them all extra oats to calm them down.

Before she could scoop out the first bowl, a thick furred arm wrapped tightly around her throat, jerking her back away a muscled chest. She couldn't breathe. Annie clawed at the arm in a panic as she struggled for her life. The being simply squeezed tighter, her vision swimming as her body grew weak.

"Cut out the heart, and the body dies..." Came the rasping, growl of a voice as Annie continued to struggle for her life.