Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I had no idea your family had branched out to Norway too. There must be Ghis all over the north," Invah observed with a smile in an effort to keep Heather's mind off the things going wrong at home.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Just Aunt Kayla. And Uncle Seamus. He sends Da wine from his vineyard every year. Da said he would take us there as soon as Rho takes the throne." Heather explained, her eyes brightening with the prospect of adventure. "Uncle Durban still goes to Mongolia with Aunt Marri. He said he might take Ashelin and I some time too."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Your brother has told me about some of your distant relations. Some not blood family, but family nonetheless. He told be about Arslan Khan and Lady Freya who your Aunt considers as much family as Sir Moor and Queen Kjotva. I've heard stories of people all along the way to Mongolia from your Uncle Durban when he came to visit me and swap stories. He told me of China and Mongolia while I told him of Sweden and the Rus."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll never get to see it, but I do want to travel." Heather insisted to Invah as she spoke about what her family had told her. "I can still walk and touch, and smell and taste."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You certainly don't need to see to enjoy the world," Invah assured her. The great dragon remained for some time, simply offering Heather some comfort and a friend amid an uncertain period of her young life.

By the time the twins' birthday rolled around, Invah simply welcomed Heather to the loch if she chose, seeing as she didn't want a proper party, while Ashelin had a little ball of sorts at the keep.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona had stayed away from the keep for a while to allow Sam to work. They saw each other, but they had both been busy. She was preparing for her trip abroad and he was busy with his new recruits. She wasn't going to miss Heather's party, however.

Julia had convinced the little girl to have a family gathering at the loch, hosted by Invah. The big party would be that evening for Ashelin, and she made sure that both girls would attend each party. When Fiona arrived on the back of Roman, there was already a large group of Ghis assembled and Heather looked brighter than she had seen her in ages.

"Good afternoon, love." Fiona murmured as she left Roman to his own devices and greeted Heather, who sat next to Sam.

"You came!" Heather said with a happy smile as she glanced towards the sound of Fiona's voice.

"You couldn't keep me away from this party." Fiona said with a chuckle. "And I even managed a present for you."

Reaching into her satchel, Fiona pulled out a half grown black kitten. The kitten squirmed slightly but remained docile as she placed it in Heather's lap, the little girl's green eyes going wide as she ran her fingers over the kitten's soft fur.

"She looks just like Kitty. She was mewing in the market and I thought she could use a friend too." Fiona said as Heather continued to pet and explore her new pet. "Pretty little green eyes too."

The loud purr that came from the kitten as she snuggled down in Heather's lap told her just how content they both were.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan approached Fiona's side, offering a kind smile before leaning down to kiss Heather's forehead. "Reminds me o' yer Papa's cat when I was a lad."

A hand slipped into Fiona's, and Sam appeared at her side with a handsome, small smile of thanks for bringing something so special for Heather.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can keep it?" Heather asked as her father kissed her forehead and said that the kitten looked just like Vincenzo's old cat.

"Well, it is a gift, isn't it?" Julia said as she watched Heather gently pet the cat with a smile on her face.

Fiona glanced at Sam as he appeared at her side with that handsome smile, his hand holding her own tightly. She shrugged her shoulders slightly as if it weren't that big of a deal. She remembered what it was like to be a lonely little girl. Small things were the most important when it came to putting a smile on a child's face.

"What should I name her?" Heather asked, looking up towards the sounds of her parents voices.

"That's up to you, love." Julia said with a laugh as she sat down next to her daughter and scratched the kitten's head.

"Sam?" Heather asked for her brother's opinion.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No' my choice, love. But didn' you 'ave a name ready fer a mare before I gave ya Dun?" He offered, settling at Heather's opposite side to brush her hair back behind her ear.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I was going to name the horse Sunny." Heather said as Sam sat down at her other side and brushed her dark hair back behind her ear. "Is that a good name for a cat?"

"I think it's just about the best I've ever heard." Fiona said with a grin towards Sam.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam gave Fiona a smile in return before ushering Heather off to show Invah, and he took Fiona aside a moment, taking her hand and kissing her cheek. "Thanks," he murmured. He still tended to keep what was between them rather private, but he'd grown much more comfortable with his family knowing about it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've been in her shoes." Fiona said as Sam kissed her cheek and thanked her. "It's the little things to make a little girl happy. Besides, a kitten will give her something to be responsible and care for."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She could definitely use another good friend," Sam said with a nod, turning to look at his sister so trustingly placing the kitten in Invah's giant hand. Invah could handle anything with the greatest dexterity and gentility, so no one even thought twice about it.

"About yer trip t'Scandinavia... I've been talkin' t'Da about it, an' I'm pretty sure 'e wants me t'go because he asked me t'go visit my Aunt Kayla an' make sure Uncle Christopher's doin' 'is job right." Sam gave her another smile. "I'm going t'take a ship, though, so I can bring Kennah. I'll bring Roman for ya, if y'like."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It would be nice to have my beastie there." Fiona said, looking at Sam with a smile. "And I'm even happier you are coming. Even if it's an official visit."

Fiona leaned in and gently pressed a kiss against his lips before she nuzzled against his cheek. He made her content. Calmed her to the core. She had never had someone give her as much strength as Sam did in the short time that she had known him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's arms wrapped around her without a thought, letting his head lay against her own and letting her know that she had a similar effect on him. Tension and worry seemed to melt away and Sam knew calm when they had little moments like this. He never fancied himself any kind of romantic, but he had to admit she was already finding a permanent place in his affections.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I love you, Sam." Fiona whispered against his ear, her blue eyes closed as she soaked in the moment. "More than anything else in my life."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam could only chuckle softly, hugging her just a little tighter before whispering in return- "An' I love you, lass. I don' know 'ow I've managed without ya thus far."

They only had a moment more before Sam heard a small commotion from his family as Rho and Naiya and Justin arrived, Ciaran welcoming his love and Naiya going straight to Heather whom she adored.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona smiled as Sam returned her sentiments, confessing that he felt the same way that she did. Her gaze turned towards the rest of the family as Rho and Justin appeared with Naiya, Heather proudly showing them her new kitten.

"I think she'll be alright." Fiona said, knowing that Sam had worried so much for his little sister.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think so," Sam murmured. "She's findin' 'er way." His dark gaze returned to Fiona and he lifted a calloused hand to brush a blonde lock behind her ear. It was simple, but for a man like Sam, it was an intimate little gesture. He kissed her once more before they joined the family and Invah.

Invah gave Fiona a little smile as they approached, drawing her in against her chest gently in a hug of greeting. "You look very happy, little one."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona smiled as Sam brushed a lock of her hair back behind her ear, looking at her as if she were the most precious creature in his world. No one had ever looked at her like that, save her grandfather. It made her belly do a strange little flip and she grinned in that silly, giddy way of a person in love as he leaned in and kissed her once more.

As they joined Invah and the rest of the family, she blushed as Invah drew her close and hugged her tightly. She hugged the dear dragon back and laughed softly.

"I am happy. As happy as I've ever been." Fiona murmured to the dragon.

 

[KieranSoares]

Invah nuzzled her lightly and chuckled. "Good. You certainly chose quite the man."

Sam was pulled aside by his younger cousins at the same time, especially Lucy and Viola and the rest of the girls. He seemed brighter than usual, though still his calm and level self. He smiled more easily, and he received plenty of comments about it from his family.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's good to me." Fiona said with a small grin. "Very, very good to me. Sometimes I can't believe my fortune."

 

[KieranSoares]

Invah kept Fiona close a while longer before she was absorbed into the happy family's games and celebrations. She was welcome to Ashelin's own celebration at the keep as well, and Julia and Brogan were taking special care to be at their daughter's beckon call as much as possible to begin repairing some of the rift that had grown out of having to focus so often on Heather.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona made it a point to go to both parties. Heather was as happy as she had ever seen her, especially with Sunny tagging along beside her. The kitten seemed just as happy with the little girl that doted on her. That evening, Fiona was preparing to go to the keep for Ashelin's party, checking in on Will as he put on his best uniform.

"Looking to impress someone?" Fiona asked, grinning at him as he looked at himself in the mirror. "A certain girl named Lucy?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Shut up," Will muttered as a blush coated his cheeks. "I just don't want to look like a ragged street rat in front of her." He buttoned his jacket quickly and straightened it, but he still seemed worried that he didn't look good enough. He took great pride in his uniform, never having had much more than patchy rags to wear on the street. And Lucy was always dressed in lovely, colorful dresses and skirts. He didn't want to be an embarrassment.