Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

"You could've shown up in rags and mud an' I'd still think you were beautiful." Sam stole a kiss finally, letting it last for a long moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You say that now...” Fiona said with a chuckle as she kissed him back. “But I don’t think everyone would appreciate that look. This is an important occasion and we have to at least look the parts, love.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You definitely do. An' I think I manage t'pass too, thanks t'Justin." Sam straightened up, naturally linking his arm with her own as everyone else began taking their places. "... Ready?" Sam asked quietly, watching their families save Julia and Brogan head to their seats.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m ready to follow you into whatever our future holds.” Fiona said softly, patting his arm. “You’ll be a great king, Sam. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then maybe this'll be possible." Sam looked up as his parents took their places, and they took up their own just behind. In minutes, the doors opened wide. Before them, crowded into the courtyard and out the gates were the people of Inverness. In front of them was the Ghis clan, Owen, Will, and extended family. Suara, Taqu'un, and Durban were seated at the forefront with their families being the head elders of the tribes and the acting Duke of Inverlochly respectively. Sam would be co-leading with Suara and Taqu'un, and finally taking over direct rule of Inverlochly for the first time since it had been taken from Boar's hands.

Brogan and Julia stepped out first, the crowd greeting them with clear love and trust earned from decades of their protection and effort. When Fiona and Sam emerged, the greeting was just as warm, though no one was quite sure what to think of them yet. Sam had his reputation as one of the most effective law enforcers and military trainers Inverness had ever known, and Fiona was known as Inverness' own Rider. Beyond that, no one knew what they'd be like as a ruling couple.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona kept Sam’s arm in her own, squeezing his hand as she felt him hesitate slightly. She gave him a soft smile when he glanced down at her and a slight nod telling him that they were ready.

She noticed Gaiann and Invah in a position out of the way but still able to watch. They both had handsome scarves on, probably made by the tribal weavers, but denoting their importance to this entire event.

 

[KieranSoares]

As they stepped into the patchy sunlight streaming down from holes in the grey sky, Sam secretly took another deep breath and Fiona saw him use his ability to shut down his emotions to his advantage. She could see and feel when the mask came over him, but he didn't forget that she was beside him.

Brogan stood with Julia to address those gathered, welcoming everyone while Sam and Fiona halted beside them. Cole and Chessie had been chosen to bring forth the crowns, and they stood off to either side dressed their best with the best of the Invernessian Axemen acting as a sort of Royal Guard.

"Today," Brogan's voice thundered over the courtyard after his welcome, "Our son, General Samuel Durban Ghis, and his wife Lady Fiona Margaret Blackstone, will ascend to the role of King and Queen of Inverness. After consideration of all of our able children, we have found Samuel the most willing and qualified to lead and continue to improve Inverness and her territories, and Fiona an able and equal partner."

Letting go Julia's arm, Brogan turned toward Sam and Fiona, motioning to Cole and Chessie. Each stepped forward with the decorative wooden boxes that held the crowns, and Brogan and Julia stood side-by-side on the steps as Sam and Fiona stood a few steps below facing them.

"Samuel, your oath," Brogan spoke slowly as Cole opened his box. Both Sam and Fiona had been required to memorize the royal traditional oath of the Invernessian throne, as first spoken by King Aodh and Queen Dianh long before.

Taking a silent, deep breath, Sam turned to face the crowd. "... I, Samuel Durban Ghis of Inverness, swear t'uphold th'ancient laws, rights, an' holdings o' Clan Inverness an' her people. I will strive t'be just an' fair, an' hold th'well-being of my people over pride. Should tradition, pride, 'r law interfere with the common good, I will always choose th' common good first. No' only as King, but as a son of Inverness, she will not fall during my watch. This is my solemn promise t'House Ghis, our allies, friends, an' most importantly, our citizens." Sam knelt then, and Brogan stepped down with Cole. Taking the detailed silver crown from its box, Brogan raised it up to his chest height.

"I, Brogan Ingvar Ghis, King of Clan Inverness, hereby relinquish my throne. And I name General Samuel Durban Ghis my successor and inheritor of the title... King of Clan Inverness." With those final words, he placed the crown on Sam's head and Sam rose to the roar of the crowd and the applause from their guests and family. When Sam finally faced Brogan once more, Brogan had pulled his sword and sheathe from his back, and now buckled the belt around Sam's chest as was tradition. Sam stepped past him to the top of the stairs, and stood to await Fiona and Julia's part.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona gave Sam as smile as he performed beautifully and was soon standing by to sit for her to recite her part as well. As Julia pulled the new silver crown from it’s box, she took a deep breath to steady herself. It glinted in the dim light, showing off the vibrant patterns that she had seen earlier in the week. It was a beautiful work of art and she knew it would fit her perfectly.

“... I, Fiona Margaret Blackstone, swear to uphold the ancient laws, rights, and holdings of Clan Inverness and her people. I will strive to be just and fair, and hold the well-being of my people over pride. Should tradition, pride, or law interfere with the common good, I will always choose the common good first. I will now allow my husband and king to falter or waver in his convictions, nor will I allow his rule to exclude those that come to us in need. As long as there is still breath in my body, this shall be my vow to all of Inverness.”

The moment that Julia lowered the crown upon her head, she felt an immensely heavy responsibility. The piece itself was light, but now she was responsible for the well being of all of those assembled to watch the solemn occasion.

“As the former queen of Inverness, I ask you all to give your support to these two. They will serve you well as my husband and I have.” Julia said simply as the crowd cheered again for Fiona as they had for Sam.

 

[KieranSoares]

The welcome for Fiona seemed a little more sure. People knew she came from very humble beginnings, and enough people knew her or Will or knew of them through Ria that she had a good amount of support. Sam offered out his hand to Fiona and the two stood together at the top of the steps. Everyone was on their feet now, and everyone bowed before them. A small brigade of military musicians struck up the traditional anthem of Inverness on bagpipes and drums and soon Fiona and Sam were surrounded by family and friends while Chessie's staff prepared to lay out a feast. Vendors and bakers and others in town had been commissioned to lay out a feast for the public in town as well.

Sam kept Fiona close at his side, silently as nervous about their new vocation as she was. As the Ghis and their guests shuffled inside, Sam nearly took his normal seat until Brogan directed him and Fiona to the head seats. Brogan and Julia would sit to Sam's opposite side from Fiona now. Sam quietly moved to the head seats and placed his newly-given blade over the back of the chair. Everyone else awaited Sam and Fiona to sit, but Sam bade his parents to sit first. Even though he now outranked them, he would treat them as his superiors as he always had.

Once everyone was seated, the hall filled with sound and relaxed, and Sam secretly let out a breath, giving Fiona's hand a squeeze.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You didn’t let those nerves show too badly.” Fiona murmured, leaning over to kiss his cheek as he squeezed her hand. “And I will say again that you look very handsome.”

She reached up and brushed an errant lock of hair away from his brow, his crown ruffling his already messy hair. She thought it made him look dashing, but seeing Samuel Ghis in a crown was about as rare as seeing him dressed up as he was.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam was quietly grateful for her attention, his shoulders slumping down a bit as he held her hand tightly. "I migh' be panicking slightly on th'inside," he muttered, though his nerves barely showed beyond what little she could see. "I don' regret th'decision, but... I guess I'm scared."

 

[heartofcourage]

“It’s alright to be scared, Sam. It means you’re human.” She said softly as he confessed that he wasn’t as composed on the inside.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam nodded slowly, keeping her hand until he began to settle further, and with all in attendance being old friends and allies, things began to feel normal again. Once everyone had eaten and began to mingle, people approached the new royal couple starting with none other than King Gallus of Glasgow. Last they'd seen him, he'd been on death's doorstep and Fiona had captured his would-be assassin. Now, he seemed the hale and whole, hearty man he'd always been.

"Samuel, Fiona," Gallus' voice rumbled, a smile on his warm features. Sam rose to step around the table and greet him properly, surprised when Gallus embraced him. "I hurried here th'moment I saw the invitation."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Gallus, there was no need to rush.” Fiona commented as she stood to greet him as well. “It is good to see you back on your feet. There were very uncertain times for all of us.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Gallus embraced Fiona as well, wanting her to know his appreciation and respect. "So there were... An' because of 'em, ye've got my support jus' as Brogan did. I'm confident in you two, t'say the least."

 

[heartofcourage]

“At least there’s a few out there who believes in us.” Fiona said with a smile, kissing Gallus’s cheek as she retreated. “We’ll make you proud. I promise.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"There's plenty who believe, my love. Ye'll see 'em when y'need 'em most." Gallus looked to Sam. "We're ready t'rally t'Inverness' call. But we'll talk about that once we're done celebratin'."

 

[heartofcourage]

“No talks of business today. Sam and I still have to go mingle with our new citizens and then the dance. There is still much of the day to be done.” Fiona said with a small laugh.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Dance, hm?" Sam smiled down at Fiona, remembering all the times she absolutely refused to dance only for him to convince her.

Gallus patted Sam on the shoulder, knowing the look on Sam's face. "Don' press yer luck, lad," he turned to rejoin his family with a chuckle.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You get one chance to show me off on the dance floor. You better choose wisely.” Fiona said with a grin towards Sam. “I might be your wife, but it doesn’t matter when it comes to making a fool of myself.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"You've never looked like a fool when y'dance with me, love. I promise you tha'," Sam leaned over to kiss her cheek. He looked up as he saw someone else approach, surprised to find it was Khelt, and he was carrying some kind of wooden case.

"Congratulations, you two," he murmured, but the sentiment seemed to be especially for Fiona. "Your grandfather contacted me through Ulfric, and he had Ulfric bring over something from your family. I'm told it's an heirloom, from a time when the tribal people of Scandinavia united under a War Chieftain to defend their lands and their heritage. Your grandfather hopes it can help you and Samuel through the trying times ahead."

He opened the case up, revealing a velvet lining which cradled an ancient shortsword. It was newly cleaned and sharpened, but it was so old that some small bits of rust couldn't be removed, and some chips so deep from battle that they couldn't be sharpened or hammered out. The hilt was simple save the crest on the bottom of the deep blood channel, which depicted a dragon's head with a bristling mane and beard and bared fangs, the flames from its mouth licking down the blade in an etched pattern where the metal was colored blue. The dragon's eye was a blue topaz, and the handle had been wrapped with new leather. The sword had to be well over a century old, but kept so well that it was still very much usable and perfectly-balanced.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I wish he could have been here in person. I’ll have to settle for seeing him at our wedding.” Fiona said as she looked over the shortsword, smiling at the thought that Oleg had when it came to her life.

He was obviously proud of her, wanting to show his support from so far away. She reached out for the sword, lifting it and admiring it with Sam as she turned it over in the light.

“It’s meant to be used, but I think we should find it a place of honor.” Fiona said, glancing up at San to see his opinion.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He sent it t'serve you," Khelt offered. "It acts in times of trouble, and sleeps in times of peace."

"It's yer blade, love," Sam murmured. "It's up to you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona considered it for a long moment and then chuckled softly. “I’ll commission a sheath so I can wear it more often then.”

Placing it back in the box, she thanked Khelt again for bringing it to her. “It’s a little piece of home that I’ve desperately been missing.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ulfric has a few letters from your family and Scandinavia for both of you, but we'll worry about those later." Khelt gave them both a smile, setting the case down on the table for them. "And we will leave business for another time, but I and Kell would like to officially offer you our services should you need them. Kell has looked after Inverness for some time, but it is up to you." With that, Khelt bowed his head and stepped away.

Sam smiled to himself, watching the old Wolf walk away. "I don' know how 'e manages t'be so calm an' professional all th'time."