Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched as Elin drug the leather gloves back towards her mother, hiding against her as she settled in. She smiled after the drakes as she turned towards Sam and took his hand, giving him a nod.

"Ready." She said softly, leaning in to kid his cheek. "Wherever you are, I'm content." She whispered against his ear.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam kissed her properly before they stepped out into the sun again and made the walk back to the front of the castle. Just as Erden had said, a woman was waiting for them just inside. Not unlike Inverness, the castle was not highly decorated in the typical rich style of European palaces. It was rustic and there were mounted weapons, trophies, shields, tapestries, and paintings here and there, but the architecture was allowed to shine as well instead of silver and gold everywhere. Banners from across the country decorated the entry hall. Over the doors to the great hall was a banner depicting a blue field and yellow cross with Queen Kjersten's twin white hound insignia in the upper left and lower right.

The woman who introduced herself as a staff overseer named Hulda, escorted Sam and Fiona up to the second floor first and to the door of a guest chamber. "And milady, if you'll follow me, I'll show you to your room as well," she offered, but Sam kept Fiona's hand.

"That won't be necessary, thank you," Sam told her, and the woman nodded her understanding.

"Of course. I hadn't realized. Her Majesty will meet you in the upstairs dining room when you're ready." She stepped away after bowing and Sam opened the door to the small sitting room connected to a bedroom, study, and washroom. The saddlebags had been neatly placed off to the side for them and water had already been brought for them to clean up. Sam didn't want to keep Kjersten waiting long, so he shut the door behind them and headed over to his pack to get out his uniform and a few other things.

"Just so y'know, y'don't need to dress up in front of Kjersten," Sam told Fiona as he took off his cloak and jacket and shirt. "I like t'wear my uniform no matter what, but she doesn' expect anyone t'come meet 'er in finery an' such, especially no' gowns an' suits. But it's up t'you." He stepped over to a basin to wash his face and hands and trim his beard.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know, this is the first time you've treated me as your mate in front of someone like that." Fiona commented as Sam moved to get cleaned up.

It was simply an observation as she retrieved a fresh gown to change into before they met with the Queen.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam kept focused on trimming his beard, but glanced at her through the mirror. "It is, isn' it? I guess it took me a while... But we've gone through a lot t'be together. No reason t'be shy about it now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've never thought you were shy about it. Maybe uncertain from time to time." She said as she removed her traveling gear and armor and changed into a fresh set of undergarments before she started to lace up her gown.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know the only time I was uncertain, an' we're past it. I jus' never really crossed my personal life with work before... but you're an exception now, seein' as we'll be workin' together." He set the scissors aside and washed his face before turning to change into fresh trousers and newer boots. Then he stepped up behind her and took over lacing her gown for her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And when will the day come that you introduce me as such and we are not working together?" Fiona asked, glancing over her shoulder to Sam.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Anytime you like, love," Sam murmured, leaning down to kiss the side of her neck and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Would ya prefer I run up t'the battlements an' yell t'all of Malmo tha' yer my lass?" He teased with a little smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It would be a good start." Fiona said with a grin, leaning her forehead against Sam's. "But maybe save it for our own country. You might be arrested here."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kjersten would do it, jus' t'tease me," Sam chuckled, kissing her lips before stepping back to put on the rest of his uniform. He would leave his proper dress uniform for the ball with the epaulets and fur cloak and tassels. When they made their way up to the third floor, a guard opened the door to the private dining room for them. Even before it opened, they could hear a woman speaking in rapid Swedish.

Inside at the far end of the long, small dining room, an athletic and curvy woman in a long coat, trousers, and tall boots was dictating to a scribe who was jotting down notes as fast as he could to keep up with her. Her dark hair was tied up simply in a high ponytail and she had left a cloak over a chair by the fireplace which she stood in front of.

"Det var länge sedan vi sågs sist," Sam spoke up, and both the woman and the scribe turned.

"Samuel Durban Ghis, I thought I told you- oh." The woman stopped short at the sight of Fiona. "Who is this?"

"Milady," Erden stepped in behind them. "May I have the honor of-"

"Erden. Cut the frivolities."

"Ah. Yes milady, forgive me. Lady Fiona Blackstone of Inverness, Rider to the dragonness Invah Kyre."

"Thank you. Please take Holgreir with you," she motioned the scribe out and soon it was just her, Sam, and Fiona when the door closed.

Sam had a little smile on his face at her complete confidence and control. "Fiona, let me introduce Her Majesty th' Queen of Sweden-"

"Sam, don't you start."

"-Founder o' the Shieldmaidens of Malmo-"

"Samuel Durban."

"-An' daughter of Ulfric Moor. Kjersten Baard."

"I should toss you out a window, young man." Kjersten made her way across the room to stand before them, crossing her arms. "You know I hate all those stupid formalities."

"I do. An' I love watchin' you squirm over it."

"Uh huh. Go away," Kjersten gave him a little shove and he chuckled, stepping around the table to let Kjersten meet Fiona one-on-one. "So you're the one little Sam's been chasing. Welcome to Malmo, dear." Kjersten smiled down at her, her sarcasm and dry humor with Sam giving way to a genuine friendliness.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's not necessarily good at chasing." Fiona said as she glanced at Sam with a smile. "At least I've gotten him to admit that we are a couple in front of other people. I suppose that means we're heading on the right track in this relationship."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He told me about you last time he was here," Kjersten nodded. "But not without some prodding. General Ghis apparently doesn't think his aunt is important enough to share his life with." Of course Kjersten wasn't really related to Sam, but as a sister queen to Kayla, she considered all of the Ghis family just like Elhardt and Kjotva and Ulfric did.

"Come sit down. Harlo will be here shortly- he's putting the baby down for a nap."

"Baby?" Sam asked, looking up with a raised eyebrow. "What baby?"

"Mine, if course."

"Why didn't I hear about this before?"

"Well you wouldn't deign to tell me about your personal life either. But for your information, she's adopted and the final decision was made after you last visited."

"Well then congratulations're in order. You two 'ave wanted t'be parents fer a long time."

"Harlo especially," she nodded as they all settled at the table.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was surprised to learn that there was an heir to the throne. It seemed as it the queen of Sweden was a woman who was busy, perhaps too busy to have a family of her own. Adopting a baby was an admirable cause and she smiled as Sam congratulated Kjersten on becoming a new mother.

"Thankfully Sam isn't rushing to have a family of his own just yet." Fiona said, giving him a look with a grin. "His drake has made him grey having an egg that was too large for her."

It was a short while later that Harlo entered the room with a sheepish look on his face, a squealing infant held against his shoulder. The little girl was intensely angry about something, her little face red and tears clinging to her pale lashes and cheeks. She had little wisps of blonde hair that curled against her scalp, creating a halo of sorts. She was lovely.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kjersten was up from her chair immediately, scooping the infant from her husband's arms. "You're useless," Kjersten sighed, but kissed her husband's cheek before turning her attention to her daughter. "What has he done now, my love?" It didn't take long for Kjersten to calm her, leaving Harlo dumbfounded.

"She clearly likes you better," he murmured.

"Nonsense. You just haven't figured women out yet." Kjersten returned to her seat and Harlo took his own. She shifted the infant to cradle against her chest. "Sam, Fiona, this is Erys."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's lovely." Fiona said as the infant finally calmed in her mother's arms, whimpering every so often until she finally stopped. "How old is she?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Only two months. Her mother passed away giving birth to her, and her father was a soldier whose ship sank about a month ago. Her father's neighbors couldn't afford another mouth to feed so they had to give her up."

Kjersten brushed back Erys' blonde locks adoringly. "I dare say she chose us. Harlo likes to think she prefers me, but she chose him first. Speaking of, I'd better introduce him properly. Fiona, Harlo Rakkar Godwinsson, my King Consort. In other words, he's just here for looks."

"I may not be a Lord Protector or a King, but I'm more than a figurehead. She just doesn't like to admit she has help," Harlo chuckled, shaking Fiona's hand. "Welcome to Malmo."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you for welcoming us." Fiona said with a smile as she shook Harlo's hand. "I would say that it's not every day I get to meet royalty, but around Sam, I seem to meet them all of the time. None nearly so lovely as your daughter though."

Little Erys curled up against her mother's chest, her tiny fingers curled in the fabric of her tunic. She seemed content to close her brown eyes finally, letting out a sigh. Her little tantrum was long forgotten as she drifted off to sleep. It seemed she just wanted to see her mother, even though Kjersten as often busy running her kingdom.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's a good girl," Kjersten nodded, easily cradling Erys in one arm. "Now, Samuel... I understand you have some grave news to share with us. I've heard a bit of it already, but I'd like the Ghis' side."

Sam nodded, pulling his family's letters from his jacket. "The Empire's declared war on the isles an' all their allies. An' since tha' happened, all o' the clans in the isles 'ave made truces an' united t'help fend them off. An' it's been confirmed tha' my cousin Alex was captured an' taken t'Vienna." He laid the letters out and Harlo looked over them while Kjersten sat back in her chair.

"And I take it the only reason you didn't run home immediately was so you could catch Elhardt and Kayla here as well."

"No' the only reason," Sam looked to Fiona. "We 'ad some people t'say our farewells to, and th'drakes t'look after."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My family lives in the mountains. It was the first time I had ever met them." Fiona said, a little bit of pain in her voice as she thought about them all. "They live a peaceful life away from the hunters that might threaten them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know of them. We like to protect our tribes as best we can. Brogan has set quite a standard that many of us follow as his allies and fellow believers in the equal rights of our werefolk brothers and sisters," Kjersten said with a nod. "But there is still progress to be made. Throughout the Triad the people are still wary of werefolk, but it is more fear and old fairytales than hatred. There is still great segregation, but it is dissolving slowly. Just recently I welcomed our first handful of werefolk into my staff on the castle grounds, which has certainly helped the human staff's outlook on them. I hope to welcome more and more as permanent residents and workers in the city before long. While I don't want to take away from the tribes, humans just can't match up to the skill forged by thousands of years of werefolk ingenuity, especially in medicine. The only human doctor I know of anywhere near as good as the best tribal healers is Vincenzo Ambrose, but even he lacks the depth of knowledge that the were healers have right from the start."

"Y'won't be disappointed, bringin' more in. They've been nothin' but a help back 'ome," Sam nodded. "Jus' take care of 'em, Kjersten. They aren' effected by a lot o' things humans are, but what does effect 'em is deadly."

"I assume you're talking about the plague that swept through the isles," Kjersten sighed. "I know of it. We don't have many immune folk here save freed slaves from further south. But we are ready for it. The notes and knowledge Valentina and Vincenzo kept have been long since published and we have copies of them available should the worst happen.

"Good. I want t'make sure Fiona's people are well-looked after," Sam murmured, looking to Fiona.

"Are you going soft, Samuel Ghis?" Kjersten asked with a chuckle, and Sam rolled his eyes.

"You went soft first. Let Rakkar romance you into marriage."

"On the contrary," Kjersten smirked. "I kicked his ass for it. Then I married him when he came back for more."

"Seems like a trend among Queens o' Sweden. Freja an' Arslan tried t'kill each other, Sigmund nearly dueled Kjotva t'the death, then she went on t'beat Ulfric up every chance she got. Now you."

"Harlo enjoys it. He's a masochist," Kjersten gave her husband a smile and he simply chuckled with a little nod.

"It can be fun."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam wants to make sure that my family is happy. We've been through too much." She said, looking over at Sam with a soft smile. "And he most definitely is doing more out of the ordinary for him. He's soft as can be."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam simply smiled and reached over to Fiona's lap to take her hand, making Kjersten smile gently. "It's good to see you enjoying yourself again, Sam. It was tough to watch you make yourself unhappy for over a decade."

They spend quite a while with the royal family before Erden knocked and opened the door. "Milady," he bowed to Kjersten. "King Elhardt and Queen Kayla and their families have arrived. I have shown them to their rooms. Shall I show them in when they are ready?"

"Of course," Kjersten nodded, placing little Erys in Sam's arms, smiling at his surprised expression. "Ghis men are good with children, aren't they? Look after my Princess for a moment. I'll be right back- I need to get some papers for the others."

Sam easily handled the infant, having grown up with little sisters and cousins for as long as he could remember. And Erys seemed content, making Harlo chuckle. "Typical. I think she just fusses with me to torture me."

"Nah, yer jus' too soft with 'er. Y'can be comforting, but y'don't need t'let 'er have 'er way all the time," Sam advised, Shifting Erys to one arm. "Even this little, tha' stands."

"Is that Samuel Ghis I hear?" A voice came from the doorway and they looked up to see a musclebound figure with long silver-streaked black hair tied back from his face, an eyepatch, and a silver-flecked full beard. He was dressed in dark blues and greens and blacks in a fine suit fit for a nobleman, but there was something rugged about him. And beside him stood an equally-imposing woman with darker skin and ebony hair, her features a mix of Far Eastern and Northern influence. She too was dressed in a suit with a long jacket, her own hair just starting to show a touch of silver here and there. But her bright Scandinavian blue eyes were fiery and youthful still.

"Ulfric, Kjotva," Sam smiled and rose, careful not to disturb Erys.

"And who is this?" Kjotva raised an eyebrow at the sight of the baby.

"Erys, Kjersten's little girl," Sam chuckled, knowing they might've mistaken her to be his own.

"Damned woman never said a word about it," Kjotva sighed. "That's what I get, giving the throne to Ulfric's daughter. She never tells her step-mother anything."

Sam greeted each with an embrace before turning to Fiona. "And this is Fiona-"

"Blackstone," Ulfric finished with a pleasant smile. "My dear girl, I've heard quite a bit about you." He stepped forward to shake her hand kindly. "My men have been telling me about a new Rider that appeared in the wilds of Sweden. And yet they tell me you come from Inverness. I knew immediately you had to be Ephriam's granddaughter."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona rose to greet the both of them, pausing short when Ulfric seemed to know exactly who she was. "I see my grandfather's reputation proceeds me. I'll make sure to remember that when I meet others in the future."

She knew her grandfather had a sterling reputation among many people. They loved his poetry and adored his way with words. It made her feel connected with him in a way that she had not been in a long time.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I met the man once for a moment, but I have copies of most of his work," Ulfric nodded. "But I was always interested in his history."

"Meanwhile, I've heard of you in particular," Kjotva commented with a little smirk. "Sam needs a little trouble in his life to keep him on his toes."

Before Sam could roll his eyes, a young woman appeared between Ulfric and Kjotva in a simple but elegant suit with a long jacket, looking uncannily like them both and also sharing traits with Kjersten. "Out of the way," she murmured, giving them both a nudge as behind her, another family appeared. Ulfric took Erys to free Sam's arms as he greeted his Aunt Kayla first, towering over her like Durban.

"Hiya, Aunt Kay," Sam murmured, hugging her tightly. He'd always been close with her, perhaps because she was removed from the rest of the family and had a different perspective that allowed her to understand him better. Just behind her came Christopher and Kristoff guiding his little sister.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla grinned as she hugged Sam tightly, loving that her nephew was there to greet them. "I've missed you, love." She said softly. "You seem to grow a foot each time I see you."

"I grew too!" Lena said with a grin as she glanced up at her nearly grown brother. "Kristoff teases me all the time."

Lena had never gotten very tall. She would be like her mother by the time she was fully grown, but at ten years old, she was sweet and happy all the time. Just the child that her parents both needed after so much heartache.