Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Do you want to be married, love?" Julia asked as Naiya almost shrank back at the idea of being queen. "Because Rho loves you. He would move the sky for you to be happy. If that means not being the queen, we can work things out."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, I've already chosen him as my mate, but... as a husband in the eyes of the church and state... I don't know if I ever want to commit to that kind of relationship. I'm not here to serve him or be a porcelain doll like some fairytale princess. I'm a woman from a long line of slaves whose main teaching for me and my cousins was to never give up any facet of our freedom, big or small. Choosing a mate is about choosing a person to lean on and survive with because freedom is tough to make it through sometimes. Choosing a husband in the traditional sense is giving up myself for his benefit and expecting only protection from other men in return."

Naiya didn't have the brightest outlook on marriage. Then again, Inverness seemed to boast a resistance to the usual workings of medievial marriage and a lack of love therein. People of power with a spouse they loved was a fairytale anomaly that took place only in lucky circumstances with rulers with good hearts.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to be a fairytale princess." Julia said with a soft chuckle. "Heaven knows that I don't see myself as one. You can still be independent, but working to help those that depend on you. It's up to you and Rho what you decide for the future. I can tell you that marriage doesn't have to be a prison. If you love and trust one another then that's all that matters."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I should talk to him about it... but I don't want to break his heart. I'm afraid that if I decide I don't want to marry him, even if we do stay together, he'll be heartbroken."Naiya shook her head. "It was so easy for Kell and Kate, even with all the problems werefolk still face in positions of power. I wish it could be so easy for me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It hasn't been easy for the both of them. They simply chose to work through their problems as a team. Unfortunately the one that could help you with this probably is long passed. Rho's grandmother was the best romantic among us. I'm sure Kitty is watching over the two of you right now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well... everyone always says to come to you with problems like this. So maybe you've managed to take on her mantle," Naiya offered with a slight smile. "It must be interesting to be matriarch of a ragtag group like this, especially with family like Sam and Rho mixed in."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Beware. Twins run thick in this family and they always tend to have very different personalities. I think Katya and Timmel are the only two that have managed to stay as close to one another as the day that they were born. Everyone else grew up and found a different path in life." Julia said as the maid returned with a mug of tea for them both. "Rho loves fiercely. He's almost blind at times. He might not know what you need in the moment, but he will be there for you no matter what."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I see that already. I swear, whenever he's not helping Brogan, he's chasing around with me. I wonder when he sleeps sometimes," Naiya said with a soft chuckle. "

 

[heartofcourage]

"Rho has always been like that. He's the most childlike of my children. He had a very tender heart and a kind soul. Which is why I would hate to see the both of you miserable because you can't see eye to eye." Julia said as she took a sip from her mug. "Mating is important. Being married is only important if it's important to you both."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think I might have to wait until after he takes over, then we'll see if I can fit into his life then, and if I can actually offer anything to the people." Naiya glanced toward the door in thought. "Are there plans for the coronation yet? I know Brogan hasn't been his best lately, and after that Kerrigan fellow, things were pretty stirred up."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Brogan wants to wait until things calm down. Taking s throne in turmoil is a test for even the most seasoned person. Rho is willing to wait." Julia said as Naiya asked her about coronation plans. "You know, Ashelin could fill the duties of a queen very well. You would never have to take on the role of you were not prepared."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But I've heard her talk to Rho and Sam. She's so set on serving Kate and visiting courts across the world." Julia had known Ashelin wanted to serve in Edinburgh, but she'd never heard of Ashelin's dream of traveling. "She's so curious about the rest of the world, and I notice how she hangs on people's every word when they tell stories about places far away. Suara told her about Egypt a while ago and I thought the little thing was going to faint, she held her breath so long so she wouldn't miss a detail."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's never told me that she wanted to travel." Julia said, a little stunned that Ashelin, her baby, was interested in seeing the world. "She has been learning as much as she can about courts and manners so that she can be with her sister one day in Edinburgh. The world...well, that's a little bit different."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, it's really not my place to say, but maybe you should talk to her about it." Naiya finished her tea before rising. "I'd better get going. I have work to do." Naiya was an established hunter and a reserve warrior for the Erygonian village, and Rho had often mentioned how very seriously she took her work. But just as Naiya turned to leave, Sam appeared in the doorway.

"Ma, I need to talk to you about Ashelin," he spoke up, exchanging a kiss on the cheek with Naiya as she passed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia let out a long sigh as Sam appeared and announced that he needed to talk to her about Ashelin. "More news about her? Love, I'm not sure that I can take any more surprises today about your sister."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam stopped short at that. "What do you mean?" He turned to glance after Naiya. "What'd she tell you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"That she wants to visit far away lands. I guess she's no different from your Aunt Valentina." Julia said as Sam looked concerned about what she had been told.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I thought you knew," Sam muttered, coming to sit beside his mother. "I guess if y'didn't... I've got pretty good timing. I wanted t'talk t'you about Ash because... well, she feels pretty left out. I was talkin' t'her a while ago about it an' she seemed pretty reluctant t'believe you an' Da love 'er as much as Heather. An' she's really startin' t' resent Heather for it. I knew they'd grow up differently, but I don' think they're hardly friends anymore. Heather could stand t'be a little less resentful of Ashelin's friends an' the things they can do tha' she can't, but both of 'em have a lot of problems with each other that seem t'be getting worse."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course we love her as much as Heather. It's never been a question with any of you." Julia said, a little shocked that Ashelin was having doubts. "Ashelin has always made friends easily. She is always off doing her own bidding."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you love 'er, Ma, but she's concerned y'don't because you an' Da are always preoccupied with Heather. She knows why, but it still hurts. An' she's so independent because there was nothin' else she could be while you two were takin' care o' Heather. She makes friends t'make up fer th'lack of attention she gets 'ere at 'ome. An' it seems lately tha' you an' Da 'ave been fighting with th'girls a lot, what with Heather wantin' t'be independent because she feels like she's bein' suffocated, an' Ashelin wantin' t'be involved in everyone's business because she's lonely."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your Da and I are trying to do what is right for the both of them." Julia said as Sam insisted that Ashelin resented her sister and worried that she wasn't loved as much. "We will talk to them both. I promise, Sam."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I just don' want t' watch my little sisters grow up an' run away because they're not 'appy at 'ome," Sam sighed. "Heather's so afraid of everyone leaving her, and Ashelin's already sure that she wants to leave as soon as possible."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Heather needs security in order to be independent. That's why we've made it so that the treasury will support her no matter what happens. Rho has already agreed to it." Julia said as she thought about her daughters. "And Ashelin wants to see the world. I can't stop her if that happens. Perhaps I should encourage her to plan and save her own money. It would give her something to look forward to."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Have y'ever thought o' lettin' Heather try t'make 'er own way? Tha's what I think she wants an' needs most of all, jus' with a little occasional help like a normal person. An' Ash... well, both of 'em really. They're gonna rebel an' be difficult, it's jus' the age they're at. Maybe if y'didn' treat 'em any different from th'other, they'd work things out themselves. Tha's what they want, after all." Sam knew it was hard for Julia not to baby Heather, her guilt strong despite there having been nothing she could do.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sam." Julia said as her son told her To let his sisters make their own mistakes. "It's not that easy. You won't understand until you're a father yourself. To watch your child suffer is one of the worst things in the world."

She let out a long sigh and settled back in her chair heavily. "Your Gran always had the easy answers. I wish she were still here."