Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

Owen could only hug Fiona tighter before kissing her forehead and touching her cheek. "This is what we dreamed of when we knew you were on the way... Bringing you to meet our people and seeing them love and raise you with the other cubs and kits... I'm sorry I deprived you of that, Fiona... I saw you in your mother's arms the first time after you were delivered, and I changed all those plans, your mother's dreams be damned... I only hope this all can show you how much I regret it."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I know I missed a lot but I’m not bitter. I don’t think I have t in my heart to be bitter about any of this.” Fiona said softly. “I just want to love you and have you love me. I want you to wake me down the aisle and be one of the first people to hold my kits. I just want to share my life with my Da.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not going anywhere, my love..." Owen whispered, holding her for as long as she would let him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona let her father hold her tightly until it was time for her to get dressed in the Gown he had sent for her. It was hard to let him go, but she knew they had many more years to get reacquainted. She wasn’t about to let him get away from her again.

 

[KieranSoares]

Within the hour, the call went across the village for everyone to come to the bonfire outside the longhouse. Some Lunar and town guests had come as well, mostly those considered adopted or sworn kin to the Erygonians.

Naiya, being Suara's granddaughter, took over the responsibility of rallying together those being introduced. Soon Fiona and Will were in among a group made primarily of mothers with newborns to introduce and fifteen-year olds about to be presented as adults for the first time. There was only one other like them that didn't fit into either of the main groups. He was a grizzled old panther with plenty of scars from whips and shackles. He was likely an escaped slave, or one of the lucky ones who was freed from a transport down the coast by soldiers from the isles or allied nations.

Suara made her way to the center with the other elders, standing before the bonfire to cast in small offerings for ancestors and guardian spirits. Some of the items were filled with strange powder that made the fire flare different colors, blue and green and even deep red. She turned to address those gathered in Erygonian. Being that Fiona hadn't gotten the chance to learn much thus far, it didn't make too much sense until Suara repeated in English, knowing the tribe was a mix of tongues.

She summed up the welcome and explanation with a smile to those being introduced. "Above all," she concluded her speech, "we are here to welcome new members of our tribe and the Erygonian Nation. We have five newborn cubs and babies, all to first-time mothers, and six cubs who, at midnight tonight, will be considered adults across all tribes. We will be welcoming an adopted child of one of our own, and his own kit who we only just now have the chance to bring in. And last but certainly not least, we will be welcoming back a man who was born one of our own when we lived in Egypt, and who was taken from us on the journey north. He has finally found his way home, thanks to a long search and a generous donation of resources from Lord Protector Khelt Aleister of Edinburgh."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona stood next to Sam in her black and silver gown, holding his hand tightly in her own. She was nervous, her palm sweaty as her heart raced in her chest. She didn’t know why she was nervous, but she couldn’t calm herself.

 

[KieranSoares]

Normally, Sam wasn't the kind to show overly much affection in public. But among his adopted tribe, he was more open, so he was willing to step behind Fiona and wrap his arms about her waist, his head on her shoulder as he created a protective wall around her. When Fiona was nervous, even if it was about perfectly safe things, it made Sam anxious to protect her.

Suara welcomed the families of those being introduced to the front of the crowd, and among them came Owen, standing on his own. But friends came to join his side, and Fiona would see him belonging to a group for perhaps the first time in her life. Suara began calling names, starting with the newborns whose mothers brought them forward, save one who was held by a lone father who had no doubt lost his mate in childbirth by his lonely and bittersweet expression when Suara greeted him. Each new parent was given a bracelet for their cub and then went to their family groups. Then came the new young adults, who were all given their choice of talisman or an armband, and a pot of ink for their first tattoo should they want one.

When Suara came to the last three, she first called the panther and welcomed him with a long embrace. Fiona was close enough to hear her speak to him in a mix of Egyptian and Erygonian, before placing a strange, beaten-up silver ring in his palm that had some deeper meaning no one else knew of. Suara pulled him down to kiss his forehead, and the panther was sent to join some friends who'd come for him.

"William Anders Bard," Suara finally announced, welcoming Will to her side. "This young man recently came of age, and is being adopted by our own Owen Blackstone, or as he was named by his father, Solen Warnn. From this point, he will be known as William Roland Blackstone, and to our people as Kynan Warnn, son of Solen Waarn." Will looked both terrified and proud of the names given to him. Suara presented him with a pair of silver and black earrings, simple tiny rings that Will had requested over a talisman or bracelet. He also recieved a pot of dark ink before Suara ushered him gently to Owen.

Lastly, Suara turned to Fiona. "Fiona Margaret Blackstone," she called, offering out a welcoming hand to the nervous young woman.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona as shaking as she moved out of Sam’s embrace to where Suara stood. She hoped that she was shaking enough for it to be noticed, but her heart felt about ready to burst out of her chest. She carefully took Suara’s hands in her own, her strong grip making her relax slightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"As the only daughter of Owen and Tatiana Blackstone, Fiona's introduction is a long time coming. As granddaughter of Ephriam and Delaina Blackstone, and mate and fiance to Samuel Ghis, she's come with a very particular name. From this day, she will be known to our people as Ionnin Caliina Dourn. And as my dear Samuel's mate, she will also be joining my little family."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona turned to look at Sam as Suara announced her new name in the tribe. Something pulled in her chest as she thought about that, something making her hold out her hand to him.

“Would you seal our union?” Fiona asked softly of Suara, her soft blue eyes turning back towards the elder wolf.

 

[KieranSoares]

Suara seemed surprised by the sudden request, but seeing Sam step forward willingly to take Fiona's hand, she smiled and kissed each of their cheeks. "Of course I will," she murmured, before bringing them closer to the fire.

"Tonight," she announced to her people. "We will bind Osra'am and Ionnin together as mates and lifelong partners in the eyes of the Gods and the Ancestors."

Naiya was quick to send some younger Wolves to fetch a few things. Soon Fiona's left and Sam's right hand were being bound by a long, dark ribbon. Fiona had seen tribal and Lunasian wedding and union ceremonies before, but the Erygonians had their own special brand. Suara began reciting the rites from memory in Erygonian and English as Naiya tied the ribbon and placed their free hands together on an ancient silver blade with script from an even older language that formed the basis of Lunar and Erygonian and their cousin languages.

"Joining together for life is not only a dedication, but a mutual agreement. Ionnin," she addressed Fiona first, as was the matriarchal tradition. "Will you promise to protect, support, provide for, and love Osra'am in both times of weakness and strength, times of starvation and plenty, and times of trial and ease?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was very quiet as the ceremony began in almost an instant. She squeezed Sam's hand tightly as he seemed to accept what was happening without hesitation. She kept glancing at him, wondering what he was thinking exactly. He seemed calm, so much calmer than she was in that moment as her gaze was brought back to Suara.

"I already do." Fiona said softly as Suara asked her the questions. "But yes. I will love him, support him, and provide for him for the rest of my days."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Osra'am, will you return this dedication?" Suara asked Sam, and Sam nodded calmly.

"Always," he murmured.

"Solen," Suara turned to Owen, who was silently watching with tears in his eyes beside Will. "As the only parent present, will you give your blessing?"

"For my mate and myself, I will," Owen murmured. Suara welcomed him forward, and he placed two more ribbons around Sam and Fiona's hands, one for himself and one for Tatiana.

"And I will give my own, as matriarch of Osra'am's adopted tribal family." Suara placed another ribbon. "If any other friends or family would like to give their own blessings, please come forward."

A few people who knew Sam came as a group to offer one ribbon, and Naiya and Rho added their own. Last came Will, looking between the two of them as he tied his own. "You better mean those vows," he warned Sam.

"I never say anythin' I don' mean," Sam promised softly, and the boy stepped back.

Suara helped the pair draw the ribbons taut, and Sam met Fiona's gaze as they lifted the blade to the ribbons. He let her take the lead.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona couldn't help but chuckle as Will came up and threatened Sam. He was growing into a young man and it seemed that she had taught him that respecting a woman and cherishing her was one of his greatest achievements.

She glanced at Sam as he pulled the ribbons taut and she was soon helping him to slash through them with the dagger. She gave him a small little smile as their hands were freed before she leaned in and kissed him.

"Suddenly I didn't want to wait." She whispered just for him to hear.

 

[KieranSoares]

As applause rose around them, Sam drew Fiona in close for their kiss and at her whisper, he gave her a small smile that told her he didn't mind in the slightest. "I love you," was his simple answer.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Say it again." She murmured, using the moment to her advantage to hear him say that he loved her as much as she wanted.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I love you, Fiona," he said more firmly, kissing her once more before the pair was welcomed into the longhouse and the feast was served. There were no tables and chairs, but blankets were laid out everywhere inside and out. All along the way, those who knew Sam congratulated them, and Owen and Will gave the pair a moment to themselves.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your Ma will be upset." Fiona said as Sam returned with food for the both of them, sitting down beside her on the blanket that her Da and Will had left them at. "I'll have to find some way to make it up to her."

 

[KieranSoares]

"She won't be upset with you," Sam assured her softly, a serenity seeming to have settled over him. "She'll wait til she catches me alone to tell me off an' make sure we 'ave another ceremony later. Seems t'be family tradition anyway."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I still want to have a little ceremony on our hill under the tree." Fiona said with a smile as Sam seemed so relaxed in the moment. "It does me a world of good to see you so calm, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam was quiet for a long moment to gather his thoughts, finding it difficult to put them into words. "I feel like... I've put some kind o' constant into my future. No matter what happens, I'll always know whose side I belong by."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Listen to you turning into a romantic." Fiona said with a happy little smile, kissing his cheek with a soft chuckle. "You belong to me and I belong to you. Now it's just a little more official than it was in the past."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So what does this make us now?" Sam asked with a light smile. "Do I have to wait for the big family affair to call you my wife?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course you do. Good things come to those that wait. I guess we can consider each other even better fiancees." Fiona teased, leaning in to kiss Sam in their little happy moment.

A few moments later, Lucy entered the longhouse, followed by her dads. They had been late as Leon had been caught up at the lumber camp longer than anticipated. Lucy dutifully helped her uvore place out the food that they had brought, only pausing when she saw Will.

After a few moments, she left his side and made her way towards her friend. "Hi, Will." She said softly, giving him a small smile.

She was dressed to the nines as always, her uvore spoiling her with a new dress of black and silver that had tribal designs stitched along the hem and arm cuffs. Her dark curls were brushed back from her face and pinned in a becoming way.

 

[KieranSoares]

Will stood quickly, surprised to see Lucy. Dazu, he might have expected, but he never knew Leon and Lucy had much to do with the tribe. "Uh... Hi," he greeted. "I didn't know you'd be here."

Dazu stepped over, laying a hand on Lucy's shoulder. "I'm sorry we missed your introduction, Will."

"That wasn't all you missed," Will chuckled, glancing to Sam and Fiona. "Those lovebirds decided on the spot for Suara to marry them."