Beyond Time (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Dylan nodded as Vincenzo left the room, watching her husband for a long moment before she crawled in next to him and sigh as she snuggled up against his side. It was so nice to watch him sleep and even nicer to know that he would soon be back on the road to recovery.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien ended up sleeping most of the day except for dinner, and all night as well. When he finally woke that next morning, he was up in minutes rather than his usual sluggish laying about for an hour. His eyes were brighter and he was in an even mood, ready to start the day and enjoy his family.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, you're certainly chipper." Dylan murmured as Ashien nearly vaulted out of bed the next morning, leaving her grumpy at being woken. "I've been trying to get you to sleep for days and you always refused. So stubborn."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's a Ghis trait," Ashien answered simply, not wanting to try to explain again how difficult sleep really was to face, much less get anything out of.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Breakfast in bed and maybe I'll forgive you." Dylan said, settling on his side of the bed to soak in his scent and warmth.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Or I could go out for a ride and take Ballas," Ashien smiled, coming back to her side to kiss her cheek. "I'll be back."

 

[heartofcourage]

"With breakfast?" Dylan asked with a yawn, smiling as her husband leaned into bed and kissed her cheek. "I love you." She murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe. And I love you too," Ashien smiled softly down at her, touching her cheek before stepping out, and Ballas was soon padding after him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan slept a while longer as her husband left with their tiger for a ride. She was very happy that he was at ease enough to be happy. It had been a long time since he had taken time to himself to go for a ride.

When she did rise, she dressed in one of her favorite gowns, a rose colored gown that Ashien always said made her look like an angel. He had it specially made from fabric she could wear everyday and still not look out of place on the back of a horse or at the royal court. Then she was off to the market, seeing if the silversmith had her husband's wedding band ready.

 

[KieranSoares]

Zadou was right were she found him last time, the tan lion working with silver wire to create a piece in detailed knotwork. When he looked up to see Dylandra, he smiled excitedly. "Mrs. Ghis," he set his work aside. "Ring is done," he told her in his broken English. He seemed quite happy with his work as he pulled out a little box and opened it up for her to see. The silver band was looped with three little sparrow feathers laid against the outside with each ridge carefully and expertly shaped in solid metal despite looking downy soft like a real feather.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's beautiful." Dylan said with a smile on her lips as she lifted the ring gently out of the box and looked it over. "I can't wait to give it to him. What do I owe you for something so finely made?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Already paid for," he told her in confusion as if she should know about it. "King sent more than enough."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ashien's brother paid for it?" Dylan asked in confusion. "He didn't have to do that. You'll need to tell me how much it costs and I'll pay him back."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He said not to tell," Zadou chuckled. "Ghis do this often. Though Kitty was going to." He wrapped up the box for her. "Enjoy."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you." Dylan said with a smile as she took the box. "I will make sure to tell people about your skill. Hopefully you get some new business from it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you, ma'am," Zadou watched her go before returning to his work.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan kept glancing at the ring, feeling light and floaty as she did. She wanted to run and show Ashien just what she had gotten, but she knew that she should save it for the wedding ceremony that Kitty was planning for them. Instead, she went to see her mother in law and Carmena, who were relaxing in Kitty's sunny rooms.

"I got his ring." Dylan announced with a smile as she showed both women with a proud grin.

 

[KieranSoares]

Carmen sat forward in her chair with a bright smile, "Oh, little sparrow feathers. He's going to love it."

"I'll bet he doesn't even think you realize how much that nickname means to him," Kitty chuckled, drawing Dylandra down to sit beside her and kiss her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, he got me a band that means the world to me. I figured I would return the favor for him." Dylan said, showing them her silver band with the vines that matched her artist's signature.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's always been a thoughtful boy," Carmena thought aloud as she looked over the ring. "Though I suppose he's not a boy anymore. He's got a grand home down in London, a place in King Henry's court as a knight, a wife... It makes me feel incredibly old, you know."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He misses all of you. I don't think you know how much." Kitty said as Carmena commented on how old she felt. "I wish that you could come to London more. It would brighten him considerable. That house is so big and quiet most of the time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He certainly didn't expect it to end up so empty," Carmena said with a smile. "I'm sure he told you why it's so big. He sent me cartloads of letters while he was building, dreaming about making Darkwood into a sort of artists' guild hall and home. Now he's turned the place into his own retreat with grounds set for training horses. Of course... Back then, he didn't know he'd be a horse master."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He still paints. We paint all of the time together." Dylan said as Carmena talked about Ashien's dreams and wishes. "I do believe that I am his favorite subject at the moment. While I'm here, I intend to paint each and every one of you. That way he has a memento of his family to keep him happy while we're in London."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That would be lovely. But you'll have a terrible time getting the boys to sit still. Durban won't be so bad, but Boar will be a fight," Carmena chuckled. "Could I talk you into putting myself and Van together in ours? And then of course I imagine Vincenzo will want to be with Kitty."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And Vincenzo too, of course." Dylan said with a grin towards Carmena as she spoke about having a portrait done with her sons. "I can do whatever you would like."