Beyond Time (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I will, happily," he nodded. "Love is not something to be missed or shied away from. It's sometimes the only thing that makes life worth living. As much as a person should live for their own self... Some days you need an extra incentive to get out of bed in the morning. Or in our case, stay in it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You make it easy to stay in bed." Dylan said as she returned his smile. "Even when I want to get up and sketch, you make it easy to make another choice."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You have no idea how many times I've passed up a strike of inspiration just to hold you late at night," he sat back in his chair with the gentle smile of a man happily head over heels in love.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're a sappy romantic, Ash." Dylan teased him as she leaned from her seat and kissed him with all of the love and adoration that she had. "But you have to know that I'll never leave you again willingly. Not even time could keep me away from you."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien was glad for her promise, even if he already knew neither would leave the other. That evening was quite the party when they arrived at the palace and found it full of Henry and Ashien's good friends and allies. Henry had made sure not to bother with the more vain nobles, wanting that night to be a special time of friends and good food and drink. Van drove them over in a carriage and they were greeted in the courtyard by John and Elizabeth. Ballas was on his best behavior, his fur having been washed and neatly brushed and a handsome teal kerchief tied about his broad neck to compliment Dylandra's dress as well as to function like a collar to mark him as Ashien's companion. He kept close to Dylandra's side, knowing not to stray far in public lest he frighten someone.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylandra was in awe of the palace as they came up on it in the carriage. It was sparkling in the evening light, candles and fires lighting everything that she could see. It was beautiful, she thought to herself as Van steered the wagon expertly into the courtyard and they were greeted by Elizabeth and John.

"We didn't mean to run you away from the manor." Dylan teased John as he helped her down from the carriage, a smile on her lips before she kissed his cheek fondly. "But thank you for giving us some time alone."

Ballas looked incredibly handsome that evening, his white fur nearly glinting in the light as he stayed at her side. Ashien had fashioned a kerchief for him from the same fabric her dress was made out of, signifying that he was her tiger as much as he was Ash's.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's fine. Elizabeth was kind enough to deal with me, and her father's had me working with the carpenters today." John kissed Dylandra's cheek in return and he and Elizabeth, arm-in-arm, led the guests of honor inside. Their arrival was welcomed with kind and genuine applause and well-wishes. For the first time, Dylandra was introduced to several of Ashien's friends and allies, all either officers or fellow artists of some caliber. They seemed enchanted with her just like Ashien had always been.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan could practically feel the pride that Ash had as he introduced her to his friends. The smile on his face was wide and content and she couldn't help laughing to herself. She was so in love with the man beside her that it was almost impossible to imagine her life before she had met him.

"I think that smile might stick to your face if you keep it up." Dylan teased her husband, giving him a smile as everyone was called to dinner before the dancing began.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As well it should," Ashien told her with a kiss before sitting down with her to Henry's left while John and Elizabeth were on his right. Henry welcomed his guests with a warm, short speech in the wedded couple's honor, and then they all settled into the meal. It was clearer than ever, when John got comfortable, that he and Elizabeth were becoming quite close by how they talked and laughed so easily.

In the middle of dinner, Henry leaned over to Dylandra and murmured, "Tell me about you connection to John. I'd like to know who my daughter is so obviously smitten with."

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan laughed softly at the King's question and she regarded John and Elizabeth for a long moment before she spoke. "Well, I was once willing to call him my husband before I met Ashien. He's a good, honest, hardworking man. He has a temper when he's frustrated but I've honestly never seen him so happy before. He would make you very proud."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hm... We'll see. I promised myself and my wife that I'd never take any less than the absolute best for Elizabeth. John has a lot of proving to do. But knowing you trust him certainly gives me some comfort." He smiled to himself seeing John trying to act so formal and proper while Elizabeth just giggled at him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You won't be disappointed, your highness." Dylan said softly, watching as he looked at his daughter with an aching fondness. "They'll make the right decisions and I know they will include you the entire way. You have nothing to fear with John."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not sure it's really John I fear. It's more losing my little girl, and the backlash they'll get from the so-called 'nobles' if they decide to court." He sighed and sat back. "But I'll leave all my worry for another night. Tonight is about you and Ashien, my friends and guests of honor. I'm truly thankful to you, Dylandra, for bringing such a light to his life and to Darkwood."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Darkwood has always been one of my greatest loves. I'm just happy I get to spend it with Ashien now. He's a good man." She commented with a smile as the King of England slowly became a dear friend to her. "And I'll do whatever I can to make sure that he is taken care of. I know that he means a great deal to you, your highness."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, let's just say that if my wife and I hadn't managed any children, Ashien would find himself King of England one day. He's done far more for uniting and safeguarding this country than anyone since my grandfather took this land for his own. And considering Ashien comes from the land of the Celts, I find it incredibly amusing to know he's united Saxons and Normans."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ashien is the most English Scot I've ever had the chance to meet." Dylan said with a soft laugh. "He works hard to be the cultured man that you see now."

Turning to glance at Ash, she gave him a soft smile and took his hand beneath the table. He truly was the love of her life. She thanked whatever force was out there in the universe that had pulled the together.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien, who'd been talking to a person beside him, paused to look at Dylandra with a smile. "Yes, love?" He asked after kissing her cheek. Henry chuckled and turned to talk to John and Elizabeth.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Just making sure that you're not paying attention to my private conversation." Dylan teased as she leaned over and kissed his cheek gently. "And making sure that you haven't decided to trade me in for another lass so quickly."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, Henry's cousin Lady Margret is quite the catch," he teased, looking to a stunning brunette in a lovely gown beside a tall knight who was apparently courting her. "But she's not nearly as much of an adventure, so I think I'll keep you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'll keep me? Is that really the way you should talk to your new wife, my lord?" Dylan teased Ashien as she snagged him by the front of his tunic and pulled him in for a kiss. "Because you might not find the floor of the studio as comfortable as our large, warm bed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Fourteen bedrooms, love," he told her with a smirk, not unlike the way she'd teased John their first night in the manor. He kissed her in return with every bit of passion she gave him. "But I'd forgo a warm bed if I had to, just to get the joy of teasing you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But only one bed you would rather be in." Dylan said with a laugh as he teased her.

It was very clear to everyone gathered that the Lord of Darkwood was smitten with his new bride. She was bright and lively, certainly a good match to Ashien. She loved him deeply and she was able to show him her affection without fear of anyone's protests.

 

[KieranSoares]

As time went on and the days grew longer into early summer, Ashien and Dylandra happily made their lives in Dark wood with plans to go to Inverness the following spring, as Ashien had too much work for Henry to do to try a trip any sooner. He'd sent letters to his family and all but Durban, who had also married his love without so much as a word to their family, chastised him. Kitty's letter was as loving as it was scathing and she immediately began writing to Dylandra and telling her about the family and Inverness. Just as Ashien had predicted, Kitty didn't have a single unkind word for Dylandra whereas she absolutely raged at Ashien in her letters about following her children's trend of first weddings away from home. But Ashien simply sent her his love and promised he'd be home the following spring.

John seemed to spend all his time at the palace now with Elizabeth or working in the palace carpenter's wood shop. Henry had offered him a permanent room in the palace and John had accepted partly to stay near his work and Elizabeth, and partly to leave Darkwood to Ashien and Dylandra alone. His talent and growing skill in his work had gotten the attention of some other carpenters, especially his odd methods that seemed years ahead of his experience. Of course John had learned quickly in his own time and picked up all sorts of modern tricks, but he couldn't tell anyone that.

He was still rather a mystery to Elizabeth with his strange speech and casual demeanor, but he wasn't stiff around her or overly formal and treated her like a normal person. In front of her father he took s bit more care to be especially respectful, but alone they were just close friends and free to laugh and talk.

 

[heartofcourage]

It was a hot day in early summer when Dylandra found herself at the palace, sitting under the wide shade trees of the garden with Elizabeth and the king. Ashien was working his horses and men that day and she had been invited to spend a day with the royal family. She had trouble in the heat, so use to an air conditioner in the heat of the day, but she found it nice there in the garden.

"Thank you for inviting me here today. It's lovely here." Dylan commented with a smile as Elizabeth served the tea.

"Papa wanted to ask if you and Ashien were going on holiday with us. We typically go to the sea during the hot summer months." Elizabeth commented, kissing her father's cheek before she sat back down. "John is coming with us."

"John is an excellent swimmer. He loves the ocean." Dylan said, laughing softly to herself as she saw just how smitten the princess was with John.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Really?" Henry asked with interest. "Odd man, stranger by the day." It wasn't terribly common practice in that time for people to know how to swim what with the common mythos about witches and simply because no one took the time to learn how. "He's a good man to have around, but for all his merits I still can't figure him out, nor his intentions."