Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

"I know he loved it... There's a little influence from both sides of the family." Owen gently combed his fingers through her hair. "... Ionnin it is then... And per Blackstone family tradition, you'll choose a second name of your choice, and which surname you'd like, be it one of your family's or Sam's, being his mate."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll have to think on a second name. I want something that is strong but will honor Ma as well. Considering you chose my name when I was born, I think this time it should be for her.” Fiona said with a small smile. “And you should have a name for Will as well. He’ll be so proud to be your son.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"He and I get along well, but I think you should choose a name for him. You're the one who raised him." Owen kissed her forehead and went to sit down, feeling a twinge of pain from an old wound.

 

[heartofcourage]

As the night wore on, Fiona contentedly put her house back in order. She had neglected it as the war had gone on, but now she had the time to put back into the little cabin. Will and Sam were talking about Will’s gear, Owen dozing in a chair. It was the kind of little scene that she had wished so hard for when she was a little girl.

 

[KieranSoares]

Though Sam and Will had never interacted much directly, Sam treated the boy like a man when they came to talk of work and future plans, and he was as much a mentor to Will as Ciaran and Will's veteran Rangers were. He had asked Will to bring his tack in, and was showing him some tricks in upkeep and use to get the most of the gear and keep it comfortable for Volgern. Owen had been watching and shortly dozed off.

Once Will went to put away his gear, Sam came to join Fiona. In the kitchen, he began cleaning out the little stone oven and its soot trap and scouring the baking stone clean and smooth.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Sam, it’s alright to take a rest.” Fiona said with a soft laugh.

 

[KieranSoares]

"This isn' work," Sam insisted quietly. After a long moment, he continued to explain, "... I won' get t'do simple things like this much anymore once I take over fer Da. Maybe in peacetime I'll be able to do things like joinin' the lumber camp 'r help with construction. But... I think I'll miss simple little things, even chores."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Sam, when it’s just the two of us, you can do whatever you like. If you wish to clean our rooms on your own, you are welcome to do so. If you want to make our children responsible for their own chores, you can do that. You don’t have to give up everything just because you become king.” Fiona said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sure I won' think about it much in th'future. A' least not during wartime. Sam kissed her cheek has he stepped past her to the back door to clean out the oven brush.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Knowing you, it’ll be on your mind all the time.” Fiona said as he stepped outside.

She followed a few moments later, standing there with him as she stared up at the sky. “The stars are bright tonight.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Cleaning his hands and setting the brush aside, Sam looked up for a moment of pause. He quietly wrapped an arm around Fiona's waist, content to silently watch the sky with her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona leaned into Sam’s side, her own arms wrapping around his waist as they stared up at the sky. “Are you scared?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Terrified," Sam whispered after a long pause, though his demeanor was calm and he seemed solidly set.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’ll always be with you, Sam.” She said softly as he admitted that he was terrified. “And you’ll be a great king.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's gaze turned away from the stars and the only reply he had for Fiona was a kiss. He only hoped he could be half the man she saw when it came to taking over the throne.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You just have to be the same wonderful, stubborn, lovely, private man that you’ve always been.” Fiona said softly as their kiss broke.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam let his forehead press to hers for a long moment, using that time to collect his thoughts and remember that he wasn't going it alone anymore. There was someone right in front of him who would help him and correct him when he made mistakes or got tunnel vision. With another kiss, his steely green eyes opened once more and he welcomed her silently back inside.

 

[heartofcourage]

A few days later, Fiona had been officially invited to celebrate the full moon with Suara and the rest of the tribe. She had baked cakes all day, enough to feed an army, as a gift for her future tribal members. Her father had paid for a new gown to celebrate the occasion and a new suit for Will. She was sitting in the living area of her cabin, waiting for Sam to come so they could take everything to the longhouse.

“You can still back out.” Fiona said as Will entered the room as well. “You have a little time to run for the hills instead of becoming a Blackstone.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah," Will brushed off the notion nonchalantly, despite having stressed about it for days quietly. "I'll do just about anything to get rid of my name."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona let out a little sigh as she stood and made her way over to him, taking him by the shoulders to look him in the eye. He was nearly as tall as she was, only missing a few inches to tower over her. She knew he had fretted about this moment, the day that he would get to leave everything behind of his former life.

"Will, you don't have anything to worry about. You never have to see any family again unless you want to. You never have to go back to what you came from. I promise you that and I always have." Fiona said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not like they could make me now anyway," Will muttered, the first hint he'd ever given her that his family could be alive. "I'm okay. Really. My biggest worry was getting to fifteen. I want to be a Blackstone, I always have. It's just that the idea of having a family again makes me nervous... I know none of you are like mine, but I can't shake it."

 

[heartofcourage]

“My Da was once. But people can change if hey want.” Fiona said softly as she brushed her hand through Will’s hair. “Just remember that.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"My Da wasn't the 'change of heart' type," Will practically grumbled. "... I want to tell you about what happened to me. But after I get rid of my old family name. I don't want to be attached to it."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m in no rush, Will. I never have been.” Fiona said as she heard a cart pull up out front. “Make yourself useful and pack all those cakes outside. I’ve got a few other things to gather up before we go.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Will left her side to do as she asked and soon Sam was in to help him before coming to kiss Fiona. "Need any help?" He asked quietly. He was in a fine dark tunic and trousers with tall boots, much simpler than he'd normally wear to special events. Then again, the tribal folk rarely dressed up in the same way other folk did for events. Paints or flowing robes were more their style.