Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Mhm," was Sam's simple answer, just as non-commital a tone as she often had when being stubborn. He grabbed a bucket and headed inside, soon returning with plenty of meat for both drakes. Roman nudged it toward Kennah first, even going so far as to turn it on its side when she had trouble holding her head up for too long.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched as Roman tipped the bucket for Kennah, making sure that she was cared for before he would even think about eating. Fiona sat at his side, scratching his soft scales as he watched over the entire scene.

"Can I see your egg again, beastie?" Fiona asked her drake softly, knowing that he had the right to decide no.

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman glanced at Fiona for a moment, but it was Kennah who nudged the egg gently toward her with her snout. Roman took the hint and carefully scooped the egg from its nest of blankets to let Fiona take it. Sam watched from a respectful distance, knowing he hadn't yet earned permission from both drakes.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona waited patiently as Roman handed her the egg, helping to settle it in her lap and fussing over it like a first time father. She gave him a grin, like a proud mother herself, as she checked the crack to make sure that it was still sealed. The egg was incredibly warm, cared for by its parents and given the best chance that it possibly could have.

Fiona leaned forward and pressed her ear gently to the shell, listening quietly to see if anything might be heard.

 

[KieranSoares]

A single, faint rhythm greeted Fiona as she listened closely. It was nearly inaudible, and it could be felt better than heard. The little creature inside had developed enough to have a heartbeat.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona's smile was slow to spread but as she heard the little drake inside, she glanced up towards Sam and Roman. "I hear it." She murmured softly, reaching out to gently touch Roman's nose.

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman tilted his head curiously at Fiona, reaching out to lay a hand on the egg. Kennah shifted toward the egg, letting Roman help her settle it into blankets in her arms. She already seemed to know it was alive, pressing her cheek lightly against it for a long moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It has a strong heartbeat." Fiona said, letting the drakes care for the egg as they saw fit. "I think that it has a good chance to make it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The crack must've been only on th' shell, no' the membrane inside," Sam observed quietly, stroking Kennah's mane gently. "We sealed it in time fer nothin' t'get in, I guess."

Kennah simply held the egg a little closer, letting her head rest on Roman's arm when he laid back down. She'd long since stopped trembling, meaning Owen's suggestions had certainly helped. But it'd probably be a couple weeks before she was herself again.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll leave you two alone." Fiona said softly as Kennah cradled her egg tightly. "Keep them safe, Roman."

She stood to leave the drakes in peace, watching Roman as he held his little family close. "You're a good drake, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

Roman looked up at Fiona with a soft rumble before laying his head against Kennah's neck. As Sam and Fiona stepped out, Sam couldn't help a small smile. "He's come a long way. I think it took an emergency fer 'im t'shape up, but he's done it without a problem. I never minded 'im bein' playful, I jus' wasn' sure if 'e could be responsible. Looks like 'e's righ' up there with Kennah."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's a good lad." Fiona said as Sam locked up the barn for the evening. "He loves his egg and he loves his mate. That's all that really matters in his world right now. I suppose it'll be the same for you or I in the future. No matter who it is with."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam wrapped an arm about her waist, the simple motion answer enough that he intended for that person to be her. As they stepped into the tavern, he gave a nod of greeting to Stacia and Tavir, keeping his arm around Fiona.

 

[heartofcourage]

Stacia watched as Sam entered the tavern with his arm around Fiona's waist. She knew that for him, that was a large statement. He was forgiving her and staking his claim at the same time.

"Evening, you two." Stacia said with a grin as she glanced towards her mate. "It's been a slow night with the snow fall. Can I interest either of you with a Danish or a glass of wine?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Cider, actually, if ye've got any," Sam murmured. He had a weakness for cider in particular.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Coming right up." Stacia said , turning to get two mugs of cider for Sam and Fiona. "We're going to be packed the next few days because of the solstice, no doubt."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Enjoy yer peace an' quiet while y'can, then," Sam said with a small smile, sitting down on a bench near the fireplace with Fiona. "An' let Tavir make you go to bed early. You practically never sleep."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Not you too, Sam. You're starting to sound like Vir." Stacia said with a glance towards her mate. "I don't need it from the both of you."

Fiona settled next to Sam at the hearth, her head leaning against his shoulder as Stacia and Tavir entered the back of the tavern. When they were alone, Fiona gathered her thoughts to ask Sam what she really wanted to know.

"So, you've decided that this is what you want? That everything is alright between us now?" Fiona asked softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No amount o' reconciling can make wha' happened not be true. It took a long time t'wrap my head aroun' the whole thing, but th' way I see it now... Neither of us want t'give up the other, an' you were doin' what you thought you had to. Now tha' I can see the big picture... I don' see a good reason why we shouldn' stick together," Sam explained softly. "The only thing I know fer sure is tha' I love ya, an' I'd like t'say by yer side though the good times an' the bad."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have no idea how much that soothes my heart." Fiona said softly, leaning in to kiss Sam's cheek gently. "Because I know that you are worth fighting for, Sam. And I will work hard to make all of this up to you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' need you t'make anythin' up t'me. I've been at my job long enough t'know the lengths folks go to in order t'protect their loved ones. Even if I wish ye'd asked me fer help rather'n goin' it alone... There's nothin' to forgive." With that, he finally gave her what she'd asked for- a slow, gentle kiss she hadn't felt the likes of since that last morning together.

 

[heartofcourage]

It was hard to keep it together as Sam leaned in and kissed her. She had forgotten just how good his lips against her own felt until that very moment. Surely she had died and this was her reward. Then, she felt the tears coming again. Her heart felt so raw and bruised, first by what she had done and Sam's shunning and then by her father's sudden arrival.

"I always seem to be crying lately." She said with a sniffle, wiping her eyes as the kiss broke.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's no crime t'feel emotions. It's wha' makes us people," Sam assured her quietly, drawing out a kerchief to dry tears from her face gingerly. He kept her close against his side, silently seeking some comfort as much as he offered it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your Ma will be happy." Fiona said softly as Sam gently dried her eyes and held her a little tighter. "She looked just as devistated as I felt when I told her I was leaving Scotland. Your family is too good to me, Sam. I might have missed them as much as I missed you if things hadn't worked out."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She was actually th'one tha' sent me th' materials fer your gift... So I'd agree. Just as much fer my sake as yours, she wanted this t'work out. Th' rest of 'em too."

Sam glanced to the window, the darkness having fallen some time ago with the short winter days. The wind had picked up a bit and the snow was falling heavily in a very mild storm. "I'm glad I came... Remind me t'thank Roman fer bein' a stubborn pain after y'left."