Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"You have a baby drake?" Lena asked, looking at the little fledgling that was chewing on Sam's fingers as both parents watched them closely. "I've never seen a baby before. Ma has some drakes in her service, but not many. They don't like the cold weather."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yer Ma'll probably be gettin' more once Da settles his in. We were sold a bunch tha' people down south didn' want because they weren't pretty enough. We're gettin' 'em adjusted to the cold." He knelt to let Lena see Elin, and that had Roman standing with a quiet rumble of worry.

"Shush, y'big lump. It's fine," Sam murmured, and Roman sat back on his haunches while Kennah came to soothe him with a nuzzle. She knew they could trust Sam.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You gave her a Scandinavian name." Lena commented as she reached out to pet Elin.

The little drake purred as her soft scales were scratched, her little tail twitching in happiness as Sam held her. Lena giggled at the little drakes antics, absolutely charmed by Elin's personality.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She was born here in Sweden. Seemed only natural she 'ave a name t'reflect it." Elin still wouldn't let go of Sam's fingers and he chuckled, glancing over to see his gloves that he'd left with her. Unlike he'd expected, they weren't shredded. They just had a few extra teeth marks and had been tucked carefully in a nest of hay where Elin could curl up with them.

"She'll probably end up even more friendly with people than 'er parents at this rate," Sam chuckled.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We should take them when we go see the dragons. I'm sure that they would like the chance to roam." Lena said as Elin captured Sam's hand in her own and chewed on his fingers, growling playfully as she looked up at he man that she adored.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then we will," Sam nodded, gently prying Elin's jaws from his hand with a chuckle before he went to get Kennah's tack. It only took a couple minutes to have it all strapped in place before Sam picked Lena up and set her in the saddle. It was fairly higher than a horse, but a touch narrower. Sam climbed up behind her and easily settled, taking Kennah's reins. She led the way out of the barn, slow enough for Elin to keep up while Roman watched over the fledgling from behind.

 

[heartofcourage]

Lena beamed as she was placed in the saddle in front of Sam, leading the way on Kennah as the other drakes followed behind. Elin whimpered and growled after her mother, turning to look at her father from time to time. The little drake was nervous and slightly confused, but she followed dutifully after Sam and her mother.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam looked back at Elin every so often, encouraging her. "Come on, lass. It's okay." When they got out into the streets of Malmo, however, Sam knew it might be too much for her so he slipped out of the saddle and scooped up the little drake. He wanted her to get used to towns and cities and large numbers of people without getting nervous, so he kept her in one arm letting her see everything around them while he climbed back in the saddle and they continued.

Once outside the gates, Lena could already spot the dragons in the distance, one dark male perched on the top of a tall hill and a female at the bottom of the hill speaking to a group of guards passing by, making sure there was no panic about the dragons' presence.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Wow." Lena said softly as she saw dragons for the first time in her life. "I just thought that they were only in books."

Elin squirmed in Sam's arm, wanting to be let down when she caught sight of Gaiann and Invah. She had a sweet spot for Gaiann, like an old grandpa that was still spry enough to play.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam slipped once more from Kennah's back and let Elin go, watching as she raced to Gaiann. She was so tiny, about the size of a couple of his larger scales, that she could fit neatly in his palm and have plenty of room to move around. He leaned down, resting his chin on the ground before her with a little smile and a soft rumble, while Invah approached Sam and Lena, greeting Kennah and Roman with a gentle touch of their maws.

"Good morning, Samuel," Invah spoke softly as she lowered her head to nuzzle his arm. Her voice was deep, but feminine and comforting. Looking to Lena, she smiled. "I believe I see another Ghis."

"Callaghan, specifically," Sam smiled, drawing Lena to his side. "Kayla an' Christopher's girl. Lena, this is Invah Kyre."

"It's a pleasure, little one," Invah murmured, giving Lena's arm a gentle nuzzle as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Princess Helena Catriona Callaghan of Norway." Lena intoduced herself more formally as Invah nuzzled against her. "My ma says its polite to greet someone important with respect and a full title. I would say you're pretty important."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, in that case..." Invah drew herself up straight and then bowed gracefully. "Lady Invah Kyre of Nile Valley and Egypt." She smiled down at Lena. "And former friend and ally to your ancestors King Aodh and Queen Dianh of Inverness."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That was a long time ago." Lena said as Invah introduced herself formally to the tiny princess. "I was born in Trondheim but we go back to Scotland as often as Ma can get away."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know a fair bit about your mother and the Triad since coming back here. You see, I made my home in Sweden for some time. A few of my children live around the Triad." Invah then looked up to the top of the hill, motioning Gaiann down. He was larger, much darker, but with a similar kind disposition.

"Princess," he bowed his head to the little girl with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

Elin growled after Gaiann as he moved, tumbling after the dragon as he greeted Lena. As soon as she was underfoot, Roman lifted his fledgling into his arms and took her off to a safe vantage point.

"And you are?" Lena asked in a curious voice.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just Gaiann," he answered with a smile.

"Of Sinai," Invah added. "My mate. For the moment, it seems I am Fiona Blackstone's partner and Gaiann may be your cousin's."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're riding dragons?" Lena asked, looking over towards Sam with surprise. "You can't even go to the top of Ma's castle most of the time without looking green around the gills."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll get over it somehow," Sam sighed, looking up at Gaiann. "I've only really ridden once with Fiona... But I'm goin' t'be flyin' home with Gaiann."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You aren't meant to fly, Sam." Lena insisted, looking at her cousin with her hands on her hips. "Fiona would be sore at you if she knew how scared of heights you are."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She does know," Sam leaned on Kennah as she stepped up beside him. "And she is sore at me. But we'll jus' have to get past tha'. I can' pass up th'benefits o' workin' with a dragon." He looked up at Gaiann again. "We've talked about it a lot, an' I trust Gaiann."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't believe that you are this alright with everything." Lena said, knowing her cousin very well in spite of the fact that she had grown up in Norway and he had spent most of his life in Scotland. "He thinks that he'll be alright, but he never is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I 'ave a job t'do, love. An' Gaiann can help me do tha'. I'll get over it."

"Give him some credit, little one," Gaiann rumbled. "Willpower overcomes fear every day."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Stupidity can too." Lena murmured, her arms crossing over her chest, wise beyond her years. "But I guess it's between you and Fiona what you do with a dragon."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam smirked down at his cousin and caught her up in his arms. "'Ave you been taking lessons from Kjotva? You're gettin' more an' more blunt an' stubborn every time I see you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Freya and I talk a lot." Lena confessed. "Since I can't play with many other children."

Security around Lena had been tight since the day that she was born. Ever since Kayla's run in with the Prince of Novgarod and his knowledge of her intimate life, Kayla had been incredibly protective of her children. Kristoff had an easier time with it being the crowned prince, but little Lena had troubles sometimes with the tight rules and security.