Beyond Time (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"It's more than just my father going away. If he dies, this kingdom is mine. Do you know how much stress and pressure that puts on someone's shoulders?" Elizabeth asked, glancing at Ashien as she let out a long sigh. "And I'm simply not ready for a situation like that."

Dylan glanced towards Ashien, surprised that Elizabeth had been so blunt. It seemed that the princess was someone who spoke their mind. She could respect that, but at the same time, she ached for the girl that was worried about her father's well being.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No matter what happens, you won't be alone. I promised your father from the day he and I became friends that I'd look after you when he could not. But believe me when I say that I don't think this upset from the south will threaten his life. Henry's a tactical genius and a charismatic leader. His men will clear the way before he even gets close to Normandy, and he'll be home before you know it. If there's any danger at all, I and the reinforcements will be there to add yet another buffer between any enemy and our king. Your father will make it, I promise." He didn't seem surprised to hear Elizabeth's blunt admission of her concerns. He'd known her long enough not to be surprised anymore.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You seem so confident of that. I only wish I believed it too." Elizabeth said, settling back against her seat with a tired sigh, the young woman looking so weary.

Dylan glanced towards John, shrugging her shoulders slightly. Neither of them knew just what war was like. It had never entered their daily lives just as it had for Ashien and Elizabeth. She could only sympathize with a woman that was worried about her family.

"Perhaps we would all do better after a good night's sleep." Dylan suggested, squeezing Ashien's hand. "We can regroup in the morning."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien nodded, standing with Dylandra. "Go ahead, love, I'll show Elizabeth to her room and be along soon." He kissed her cheek before he took Elizabeth's hand and escorted her along. John stood after they'd gone, looking confused, concerned, and a little bit conflicted at Elizabeth's plight. "God, I can't even imagine how hard this must be for her... I'm having a hard enough time getting my head around the idea of a war on England..." He looked to Dylandra and his brows stitched in concern. "This is way out of my league, Dylan... But I want to help her any way I can."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You need to be calm about this whole thing. One wrong comment and you are in the world of hurt, John." Dylan said softly as he talked about having trouble wrapping his mind around the whole situation. "You don't want to change the course of history by admitting something that you shouldn't. Just get some sleep and we'll all talk tomorrow during breakfast."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not that thick-headed, Dylan, I know. I just had to get hold of myself for a minute... I'm not so sure we should be here. These people know what they're dealing with, but... we're just two people from an age where the average person never has to hear more than a news report about things like war and royalty."

He paused as Van stepped in and stood before them. "Are you afraid, John?"

"Terrified."

"Do you wish to return to your own time?"

"Hell no, I made a promise, and I'll be damned if I leave the Princess at a time like this when I promised her and her father I'd protect her."

"And what about afterward? Will you want to return after she's safe and the king has returned?"

John had no answer for Van, and looked down to the floor. Van sighed, "You'll know when you get there. Go on, get some sleep." After John stepped out, Van turned to Dylan. "And you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan thought about Van's question for a long moment before she knew her answer. "My place is here, Van. There are things that I will miss, but I'm meant to be right here with Ashien. I know I am."

She had never felt more right about anything in her entire life. She finally belonged somewhere and she had a person that she loved beyond reason that loved her in return. She would be a fool for even thinking about giving that up.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Good. Because I think you're right," Van nodded before motioning her along. "Go on before your man comes looking for you." He smiled then. "Goodnight, milady."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Good night, Van." Dylan said with a smile as she turned to make her way to the room which she shared with Ashien.

It didn't take long before she was dressed in her nightgown, settled between the blankets as she waited for him to return. It had been a long and eventful day, one that had added more stress to their situation. She only wanted to sleep but she found it elusive without him there at her side.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien wasn't too far behind her, entering and closing the door behind him with a sigh. "Evening, love," Ashien smiled to her when he saw she was still awake. It seemed that regardless of their situation he always had a smile for her. He quietly got ready for bed himself, joining her side when he was clad in only the dark trousers he wore to sleep. He couldn't help drawing her in close to his side. The whole situation had left him incredibly worried but glad that at least he was still there with Dylandra for the time being.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan let out a sigh as he slipped into bed behind her, his arms wrapping around her body. She knew that she was lucky that he was there with her and not off fighting a war.

"I feel bad for Elizabeth. I can only imagine what she must be going through right now." Dylan said softly. "The weight of a kingdom on her shoulders."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've seen that look in her eyes before... In my brothers' eyes. Inverness was never really a worry for myself or my sisters... But I saw it so many times in Durban and Brogan's eyes, then in Boar's when Brogan took up our father's war after he was defeated." Ashien sighed quietly, his arms tightening around her ever so slightly. "It's the look of a person who thinks they're alone and on their way to something they never imagined themself doing. Elizabeth's been reminded that like her mother, her father isn't immortal. It's a difficult thing for any child to imagine when their parents' mortality suddenly becomes clear. I know it was just as hard for my siblings and I when our mother fell ill."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Wasn't she ill when you were born?" Dylan asked, turning in his arms to look at him as he talked about sympathizing with Elizabeth. "It's different when you barely know your family though. She lost her mother when she was very young. All she knows is her father and his protection."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ma was ill when I was born, but she took a horrible turn after Valentina was born because of all the stress." At her mention of Elizabeth only knowing Henry and not her mother, Ashien nodded. "I don't understand everything she's feeling... but I hope what experience I have might help her if she decides she wants any help. I won't force her to take help she hasn't asked for." He then smiled slightly. "That's Van's job, when someone needs help but won't ask."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And your job is to stay safe for me. I don't like the idea of you going out there to war. I wouldn't like it even if we were in my time either." Dylan said softly as she reached out and gently touched his cheek, leaning in to give him a gentle kiss.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll do all I can to stay out of harm's way, my love," Ashien murmured before he kissed her in return. "But if my king calls... I have to go." As much as he'd trained and fought in the past, every new conflict brought dread and fear, not only for himself but for those he'd leave behind if he fell.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know." Dylan said softly as he told her that he would go if he were commanded by his king. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Ash. You always have to be the brave one."

"If something does happen, what do I tell your family?" Dylan asked him softly after they lay there in a silence for a few moments.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien maintained his silence for some time after her question, until finally he murmured, "Bring my claymore to Ma... or whoever the head of the family is when she's gone. You don't need to say a word... she'll know, and she'll know I loved you and trusted you deeply to leave my blade to you. She'll tell you to keep it... maybe pass it on to your children. It's the way of my family... We don't really speak when a member of our clan dies. Everyone simply... understands."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't think I want children with anyone but you." Dylan said softly, stroking his cheek gently as he told her what to do in case of his death. "We've known each other for a brief amount of time, but I feel like I've known you my entire life. I know that staying here at your side is what I was meant for."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Be careful what you wish for, my love," Ashien gave her an adoring smile. "I'm handful enough on my own. A bunch of Ghis children are much, much worse." He wrapped both arms around her and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Who said that I would agree to a bunch?" Dylandra teased as he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her gently. "Two or three would be my limit. Without modern medicine to help deliver them, you might be hard pressed to even get that many."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The best human healers of our time happen to be Van's brother and niece, if that's any consolation. And our family has a few ties to tribal healers who... well, they simply can't be beaten. Believe me when I say I will spare no expense when it comes to you." Ashien hugged her a little closer.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, that is comforting to hear." Dylan said as she let out a sigh and rested her head against Ashien's shoulder. "Well, I suppose I could let you talk me into a few children then."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Only once I steal you away to some little chapel," Ashien murmured as he relaxed at her side with a smile and began to drift off.

The next morning was quiet, and Elizabeth and John would come down from their rooms to find Ashien in the small dining room with Dylandra at his side, drinking his morning tea and reading over a report that had been delivered early that morning, detailing all of the previous day's military proceedings.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan was sketching at the breakfast table, her breakfast growing cold in front of her. She had caught sight of Ballas lounging in front of the large dining room windows, the sun making him nearly glow. It was a breath taking sight and she couldn't let the opportunity pass.

Elizabeth sat down at the table with a troubled and dour look on her face. She hadn't slept, the was obvious with the dark circles under her eyes. "What news is there, Ashien?" She asked as Van appeared with plates of breakfast.