Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

"We'll manage, I promise." Justin kissed her cheek before taking Dana with him to rejoin Ciaran.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dana was quietly slumbering until Justin entered their rooms and she opened her eyes to see her beloved Papa. She squirmed and cooed until Ciaran took her, a happy little smile lighting up her face. She never stopped smiling once as her diaper was changed and a warm little sleep suit was placed on her, her little fingers constantly reaching for him.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran smiled instantly at seeing his cub, kissing her cheeks once she was in his arms in night clothes. "Hello, sweetheart," he murmured as he nuzzled back against her face adoringly. Justin joined them, the little family all huddled close for a long moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dana started her strange little purr again as soon as her fathers held her tightly. She was content without a care in the world. It seemed she had settled into their family as nicely as could be expected.

 

[KieranSoares]

As the next few weeks flew by, the coronation was set in stone and Sam continued dividing up his work and promoting trustworthy people to take it over. But he had made it very clear that the line of warrior kings was going to continue during his reign, and he didn't give up his duties as a General. Instead, he appointed several of his best officers as Majors to assist in military and defense. On the more social and economic front where he was less confident, he trusted in those his parents recommended and in the advice of the village elders as needed.

Between creating his own network of people and linking them to those he needed to keep track of, like Khelt Aleister and Ulfric Moor, Sam also found time to give some thoughts to redecorating in the keep. Inverness Hold had always been fairly Spartan in decor, but it bloomed with colorful tapestries and fine carpentry and masonry. Sam wanted to keep that theme, but he began commissioning new tapestries from the villages that told more stories, and in particular, he asked for some to tell stories of the tribes. He commissioned new furniture from tribal carpenters, and welcomed masons to etch designs into the courtyard walls and into the great hall walls and columns. People could see immediately that he would be a king not just of the human settlement, but of all who lived in Inverness and Inverlochly. He would be the first clan king to embrace the tribal cultures openly.

It was the day before the coronation, and Sam was pacing through the keep making sure everything was in order for guests to arrive. Family, friends, clan and high royalty, ambassadors, tribal elders and so on. He kept Fiona at his side to keep him from overthinking or shutting down emotionally in the face of stress and worry, but aside from all of that, he seemed confident.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Your Ma is sending the old tapestries to the place that she bought in Edinburgh. She’s going to surprise your Da for his birthday. Kate made sure that it was just around the corner from the castle.” Fiona said as they walked hand in hand through the keep. “I’m happy he’ll finally have time to travel and be with Kate whenever he likes.”

“I saw the crowns this morning too. Your Ma was having the final fitting done on my gown and they brought in your crown and my new circlet. It...made my stomach ache slightly.” She said as she looked up at him. “They had it special made for the occasion.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam paused as she told him about the crowns, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "Ye've got plenty o' time t'consider all o' this, love. Til this winter."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I won’t reconsider, Sam.” Fiona said as he squeezed her hand and tried to comfort her about the decision. “It was just...surprising. It’s suddenly real and not just something we’re discussing.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I had the same moment yesterday... Da told me he'd be givin' me his Claymore. It's tradition in our family since King Aodh fer each king t'inherit 'is predecessor's blade 'r axe. Then they make 'r choose their own later on, an' pass that down when they're succeeded. Da has Tamblin's, an' 'is own was given to 'im by Cole after marryin' my Ma."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Have you seen the new crown?” Fiona asked as he mentioned his Da offering him his claymore as was tradition. “Your Ma insisted that I needed something new for a new rule.”

Fiona had been absolutely stunned when she saw it. Her crown was made out of pure silver, not a single stone to be found. It was a beautiful small circle that would sit delicately upon her hair, but it was a masterpiece of were craftsmanship. It depicted a forest, branches and leaves twisting along the band. Small creatures could be seen within the branches such as birds, foxes, rabbits, and even a slumbering bear for Sam. This wasn’t the delicate tiara of Kitty or the simple band that Julia wore. This was meant for a queen of both Inverness and the tribes that they protected.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ma wouldn' let me see it yet, jus' like Da won' show you my blade yet. Apparently there's somethin' in both of 'em fer each of us. Tha', and the blade belongs t'us both as th'future ruling pair."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It’s more secretive than our wedding.” Fiona said with a soft chuckle as she leaned into Sam’s side. “I’m proud of you, Sam. I’m proud of how you’ve fought through all of this insecurity to be what your family needs you to be.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think th' reason I can manage is because it's no' just about them anymore. A' first it was fer Da. Then fer th'family, now it's about more'n jus' Inverness. As a clan king, I migh' be small, but I'll be able t'draw my blade beside any other kingdom an' make a difference. Even against an Empire," Sam paused as he said that, his expression grave and stoic. "I'll dismantle it if I 'ave to... Inverness migh' be home, but I 'ave family scattered across th'world tha' are threatened, an' good people everywhere forced t'bow, hide, 'r flee from Barbarossa... I don' aim t'be a hero 'r some great liberator. I jus' want t'help."

 

[heartofcourage]

“He won’t win.” Fiona said softly as he swore that he would dismantle the entire empire ignored he had the chance. “He can’t win. We have far too much at stake.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll win some battles... But at worst, this war'll come to a stalemate. He won' repeat th' invasion o' the isles tha' southern Europe managed before Aodh. Tha's exactly what 'e wants, jus' t'prove 'e can."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll be with you every single step of the way. It’s a new dawn.” Fiona said softly as she kissed his cheek and held him tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam simply stood and held her for a long while, silently considering the potential maelstrom they were walking into. While Inverness itself would be supportive, Sam knew they'd face trials for their origins, affiliations, their youth, and of course their defiance of Barbarossa. Fiona would be forever questioned as a woman, a were-born human, and a member of a tribe. Sam would always be scrutinized against his forebears and his decisions would always be questioned for his close relations to the High Throne and to werefolk. But Sam was more concerned about the true threat of war and who might consider Scotland an easy target.

 

[heartofcourage]

THe couple was left to their own devices until the next morning. Before Sam could even finish dressing, he was summoned to Kate’s rooms. She was alone when he arrived, her own crown pinned into place and a lovely warm gown in blue and black laced around her slender figure. She was working to get Brogan dressed, the little wolf content for the moment. He looked just like his father in a velvet doublet and a tiny pair of trousers. She had pinned a blue sash on him with his very own medal on it even though he was still an infant.

“Close the door. There’s a few things I want to talk about.” Kate said softly as she saw Sam entering.

 

[KieranSoares]

Stepping in with just his trousers and simple tunic and boots, Sam closed the door behind him quietly. "What's wrong?" He asked quietly.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Nothing’s wrong, Sam.” Kate said as she placed the infant’s pacifier in his mouth and then left him to his own devices as she turned to her little brother. “There’s just something that I wanted to give you before all of the chaos took your attention away.”

She turned to her jewelry and pulled out the old cloak pin that her father had given her that day after she had become queen. It was still as shined as it had always been but instead of going to Brogan, she wanted it to be Sam’s.

“It will take a lot of tradition to get you through this. Da was a great king and you have a lot to live up to.” She said softly. “And I know you will be a great king as well. I just hope that you learn to have moments to breathe. If not, you’ll crumble.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam looked down at the pin, remembering it from his childhood. He turned it over in his hands, finding the faded letters B.G. etched into the back still. At his sister's advice, he glanced up. "... Tha's why I've built up a support system around me... If I start t'falter, there are people who can do what needs t'be done an' people who can help me stand again... And then there's Fiona... She'll do Inverness proud."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Just don’t be afraid to love her, Sam. It was hard for Kell and I at first, but it was worth it.” Kate said as she glanced over at her son. “I know you like to hide away but sometimes she needs to know just how much you care.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I try to at least let her know when something is wrong... We're still working on it." Sam looked to the cub as well. "... I still can' believe yer a mother."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Didn’t think I’d ever settle down?” Kate asked as she scooped Brogan into her arms and kissed his tiny forehead as he snuggled against her. “We waited for a long time. Perhaps longer than either of us really wanted, but it was important. We had to make sure that Scotland could stand on her own after uncertainty. He very well could be the only cub I ever have, so I want to enjoy every single moment that he has to offer.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I figured you'd settle at some point... But I wasn't expecting any children til you were older and had a larger inner circle. Then again, you and Kell seem to have all you need."