Beyond Time (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"You don't have to," John shook his head before rising to leave, back toward the palace.

"The idiot's going to challenge the heir to the Empire," Ashien murmured. Once John got an idea in his head about what he needed to do, it was almost impossible to stop him. Ashien had only known the man for about half a year and he already understood that. "Well... let him. It won't change anything when he loses. Elizabeth will probably want him more for trying, after she slaps him a couple times."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He doesn't understand that Henry will listen to Elizabeth and what she wants, no matter what the rest of Europe thinks." Dylan said with a sigh as Ashien sat down at the table next to her. "I'm afraid that he'll do something that everyone comes to regret."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's the only one who'll regret it the next day when he can't move for bruises. Lothair's going to destroy him." Ashien leaned over to rest his head against hers. "That's one reason I'm glad you're not from nobility or royalty... I didn't have to fight over you. Much as I would be willing to do so, I get enough of fighting in wartime. I just had to steal you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan gave him a smile as he swore that he would fight for her if he had to. "That's good to know when someone tall dark and handsome comes along to sweep me away from you. You'll fight for me no matter what."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tall dark and handsome, huh? Maybe you shouldn't meet my brothers. Or Vincenzo." Ashien stole a kiss. "Boar likes blondes, so watch out." He rose once more to go fetch his own tea.

 

[heartofcourage]

Sitting with Ashien while they sipped their tea, Ballas lazily warming her feet as he leaned back against her, Dylan was struck with just how happy she was. She loved her husband. She loved the home that they were keeping there at Darkwood and she didn't miss her own time a single bit.

"You know, we should go and talk to Henry before John makes a fool of himself. Perhaps we can help smooth the situation over." Dylan said softly as she started to eat her second scone.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm tempted to, but I also know that we probably shouldn't meddle as much as we want what's right for John. He knows under normal circumstances, he'd never be with Elizabeth. He doesn't give Henry enough credit, but he'll learn. Things might be a little rough at first, but when I drag John out of a duel after Lothair knocks him out, everything will be okay. Unless you don't want that to happen."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No, someone needs to beat some sense into him." Dylan said as Ashien explained what he thought about the situation. "He's too stubborn for his own good most of the time. A little like you."

She gave her husband a sweet smile as she leaned across the table to kiss his lips. Ballas rumbled in displeasure as her feet moved underneath him, one of his large paws reaching up to swat at her legs lazily before he settled. She chuckled softly, glancing down at the tiger as he stared up at her with those warm eyes.

"Don't be jealous. You know I love you most." She murmured as she reached down to scratch behind his ears.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Big lump. She's mine, you know," Ashien told his pet, crossing his arms. All that got him was Ballas swatting at his foot. "Why did I get stuck with you? Val got Roman, he was the good pet."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's a good trial run for having a child." Dylan said with a laugh as Ballas rumbled in pleasure at the attention that they were giving him. "The son that will always make you proud, Ash."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not sure about proud. I'll be proud when he's useful," Ashien chuckled just as Van came in.

"Letters for you both," Van said simply, laying a handful of letters before Ashien and one in front of Dylandra. "I believe you'll be able to hear Kitty shouting from here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your mother wrote me a letter?" Dylan asked, looking at Ashien with a grin as Van teased Ash about his mother yelling at him all the way from Scotland. "She must have learned about us then."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's because I told her and Brogan," Ashien nodded. "Just a small mention at the end of a letter. A sort of 'by the way, I got married.'"

"She's going to wring your neck," Van warned with a smile before going off on his business.

"That is if Kay doesn't get me first," Ashien grinned.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't worry, love. I'll be right here to help you lick your wounds when your family takes turns beating you black and blue." Dylan promised as she opened the letter that was written in a pretty, flowing script that was unique to Ashien's mother.

 

[KieranSoares]

Dear Dylandra,

I can't tell you how absolutely overjoyed I am to hear my youngest boy found someone to love. I'm not too happy that he didn't say a word of it until you were married, but that's no concern of yours. I'll just have his brothers beat him up for me.

Her letter went on about recent happenings with the family and a planned family get-together in spring. She spoke of each of her children so Dylandra knew just what she was getting herself into, and she spoke especially fondly of Brogan's wife Julia who had brought so much to the family already. She too had been an absolute stranger to the ways of the Ghis, just like Dylandra and Marri. Kitty spoke of Kayla and how she was working with Queen Marianne's court and among the finest ladies there.

I think I've rambled on long enough and you ought to just come see for yourself, dear. Welcome to the family. We can't wait to meet you.

Love, Kitty.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She wants us to come to Inverness in the spring." Dylan said as she finished her letter and folded it back away. "Do you think that you can get away from court long enough for us to go? I don't want to take you away from anything important."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien was still reading his own letter when Dylandra finished, and he looked up with slightly nervous chuckle, "Oh, Henry wouldn't dare deny my mother the chance to see me, even if the world was ending. But I wonder if I shouldn't let court keep me away. She's going to destroy me and keep you, I hope you know."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She adores you, Ash." Dylan said with a smile as Ballas suddenly hopped to his feet and had a mighty stretch before he padded out of the room. "Besides, you have a big scary tiger that can back you up if things get nasty."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ballas loves her far more. They decided to stick me with the tiger because they wanted someone to bully me when they couldn't, and because he might scare people away from Kayla." He looked back down at his letters and took another from Brogan, learning that Arland Wick had made peace with Inverness since taking over the throne of Wick from his father who had warred constantly with Brogan and Tamblin. "So it finally sounds like Inverness might know a little peace."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Scotland has known peace for a long time in my day." Dylan said softly. "Of course, it's part of England now, but that happened hundreds of years ago."

She had no idea how much she could tell Ashien about the time that she had left behind. He had never been curious enough to ask her about it and she was always careful to never reveal anything that might have caused time to become upset with her again.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Part of England? That's bizarre. I figured that's the last thing the English would want. But then again... it might be better that way, you know? As much as the Welsh can sometimes be afraid of the English or under their boot, there's nothing quite like a Welshman and and Englishman standing together to defend their homes. Add a Scot and I'll bet they're unbeatable." Of course Ashien didn't know that England would grow to be one of the largest western empires ever known and its rule over Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland would play a part in the formidable military. But he also didn't know that one day, it'd be just as small as it ever was when its holdings declared independence and it became the United Kingdom.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Not as bizarre as you would think, love." Dylan said with a smile. "Maybe in time you'll come to know all of the secrets that I have. I'm afraid revealing everything now would upset you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hardly. The future doesn't scare me. Whatever comes will come. As long as I have what I need, I can take whatever comes." Ashien stole one more kiss and rose to go get Ballas his meal after he heard the great tiger rumbling in the hall.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan smiled as Ashien kissed her before he went to feed Ballas his dinner. He cared for the cat like no one else and it made Dylan smile to know that he cared that much about something. Sooner or later, their own children would take that spot that he held for Ballas and she was interested to see what kind of father he would be.

 

[KieranSoares]

The next day when Ashien and Dylandra visited the palace with Ballas, they found John sparring with the commander of the Royal Guard. The man had kindly offered his own tutelage along with Ashien's and as Dylandra stepped into the courtyard, John disarmed the man and the commander fell to the ground. The commander laughed brightly, "I knew you'd do it sooner or later."

John was panting like a dog and helped the man up. "Thanks, Marcus. If I can beat you, maybe I stand a chance against Lothair."