Claymore and Dagger Pt.2

[KieranSoares]

"I suppose I'll cope," Sam teased gently, giving her another one of those handsome, calm smiles that seemed to be becoming just a little more common lately. Stealing another kiss, he drew back to look at the fiddle in its case. "I suppose the first song should be for you."

 

[heartofcourage]

“A private concert in our rooms or in front of everyone?” Fiona asked as Sam looked over his instrument again. “Your Da made sure that it’s playable. I was told that the maker is the best that money can buy.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Never really played much in front of everyone... But I will if y'want," Sam murmured, though he had some trepidation. He wasn't a shy man, but showing off his softer side, and the more artistic side, was very new still.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I can wait until we're alone. We can make it our own little family tradition. Music once a week and everyone has to chip in." Fiona said with a smile as she reached out to touch Sam's cheek gently. "It's about time we started making our own traditions to go with the ones that we already honor."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll lose track of all th'traditions this bloody family has," Sam chuckled softly, leaning lightly into her hand with a gaze that spoke of a deep love and appreciation. Sam could relax for short periods, but it'd been a while since Fiona had seen him relaxed for a whole day.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re a traditional kind of man.” Fiona said with a smile as Sam leaned his cheek into her palm. “And I adore that part of you. You hold true to yourself and your convictions but you’re not afraid to throw that all off to do what’s right.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'talk about me like I'm some kind o'idol. I'm nothin' special, love," Sam's hand lifted to her own. "I'm jus' me." He stole one more kiss before he noticed Naiya approaching. "Hiya, love," Sam murmured, rising to face her. "Where's Rho?"

"I don't need that oaf just to walk across the room," Naiya rolled her eyes with a smile, glancing back toward where Rho was distracted with some younger family members. "I wanted to ask you two something... kind of serious. Nothing to ruin the occasion, just a question."

 

[heartofcourage]

“What’s that?” Fiona asked as Rho’s mate approached them and seemed slightly nervous about what she was about to ask.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don't necessarily expect anything to happen to Rho, he's no fighter... But I am. I've trained since I was ten to be a warrior in my tribe, and I'll continue to be one even after this cub is here. And that means something might happen to me one day, be it in war or just a scrap. So I wanted to ask... If you two would help look after my cub. Rho will be a good father... But he's going to have a lot of trouble without help. And grandma would help, but she's getting on in years. I know Brogan and Julia would help too, but if my cub's anything like me, they'll be trouble. If we can't quite manage, I wonder if you two would help too. And I want you to be an integral part of their life. You're good role models, and you seem to be good with younger people."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona glanced over at Sam as Naiya posed them her serious question about her cub. She reached over and took his hand, giving it a squeeze as they considered what they were being asked.

“How could we say no to that?” Fiona asked softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'd have done all that regardless, love," Sam reminded her softly, and Naiya nodded.

"Then I guess the real term for it would be... Godparents. You know, if the worst happens... If something happens to Rho and I both."

 

[heartofcourage]

“They would always have a home with us and we would do our best to raise them as you and Rho would.” Fiona promised along with Sam as he spoke about taking on the task without hesitation. “Raised in the village and here at the keep if that’s what it takes.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Naiya let out a soft sigh, relieved despite knowing the couple would agree. It was difficult to make plans for her own mortality. "Then it's settled. And I can go back to the fight knowing my cub will be secure." She looked between the two, and then stepped forward to hug them both. "Thank you..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have nothing to worry about Naiya. I know that you and Rho would do the same for us if we only asked." Fiona said softly as her sister-in-law hugged her tightly. "We also have to keep together and keep these two in line."

She gave her a smile as she glanced over at Sam, knowing that he cared about his twin brother deeply and had spent so much of his time protecting him after the loss of his arm. He wouldn't hesitate to protect him as his little family grew, doing whatever was asked of him to make them all comfortable and happy.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam held Naiya tightly when she stepped forward, quietly protective of his brother's mate. "An' we'll make sure Rho doesn' get too useless," Sam murmured with a smile, making Naiya chuckle.

"Too late, Sam. All he's good for is looking after me these days."

"That's enough for me." Sam kissed her cheek and she soon turned to retreat back to Rho.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona leaned into Sam’s side as they watched Naiya retreat back to Rho’s side, the heavily pregnant wolf sinking down beside her mate and trying her hardest to act aloof and independent even as she took his hand and held it tightly.

“They’ll be good parents. They compliment each other nicely.” Fiona said softly to San as he watched his twin’s every move. “And he’s happy. That’s what you need to learn. No matter what’s happened, Rho is happy.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Rho's always been 'appy. I've known tha' all my life. This is his idea of a perfect life- livin' with a woman 'e loves, makin' a family, an' servin' the people where 'e can." Sam watched over his brother with a calm gaze for a long moment. "I'm glad Naiya made 'im second guess bein' king. I already knew it wasn' 'is forte, but he wanted t'do it fer Da, an' he knew everyone thought 'e was perfect fer a peaceful reign."

 

[heartofcourage]

"So, not unlike you?" Fiona asked, looking up at Sam with a sly smile on her lips. "Face it, Sam. You're more like your brother than you ever thought you were. You want the same things. You were just always too afraid to do anything about it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' know," Sam murmured honestly. "I'm no' sure what I want, really. Beyond what men in my family 'ave always done... I've jus' done what I thought would serve my family best."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And that's serve you well so far, in spite of the melancholy that can settle into you at a moment's notice." Fiona said as she leaned her head against one of his broad shoulders. "But I love you all the same."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam's arm draped about her waist, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "An' I love you. I'm capable o' knowin' tha' at the very least."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona leaned into Sam's kiss as his broad arm held her tightly. When he pulled back, she took his hand and led him out onto the dance floor, not complaining in the least as she let him take her for the first of many dances that evening. She knew he loved it and she would do her level best to keep him happy.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam was pleasantly surprised at her welcome, and he strove to prove to her that she was becoming a proper dancer. Family looked on, some offering encouragement to Fiona as she'd gone from the shy, unsure dancer to understanding how to follow Sam's lead beautifully. There were no missteps, and though it was simple, it was elegant. "A' this rate," Sam murmured as they turned and weaved through a few other dancing couples, "ye'll be teachin' th' littlest ones 'ere how t'dance when they can walk."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll still leave that to you, love." Fiona said wryly, giving him a smile as he turned her through the other dancing couples with expert precision.

They danced until they were exhausted, the entire atmosphere of the great hall one of celebration as families drank and ate until they were content. Fiona knew that tomorrow there would be more celebration, gifts given, more dancing, and more feasting. It wasn't every day that the king of Inverness married and everyone would share in the celebration, both high born and low.

As Fiona took a break from the dancing and Sam took his mother out onto the dance floor, she paused on her way to her seat when she saw Vincenzo sitting quietly at Valentina's table, watching all of his family out enjoying themselves with a tired but happy smile on his face. Fiona carefully made her way towards him and took a seat immediately to his left.

"I'd ask for a dance, but I know it would only tire us both out. Your grandson has made it his mission to dance as often as he can when I offer." Fiona said softly, reaching out to touch his hand gently. "It means a lot to him that you're still here for our wedding. You have no idea what his grandmother meant to him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wouldn't deny you a dance, cara mia," Vincenzo chuckled softly. The old doctor smiled down at her peacefully, the handsomeness of youth and his intelligence still very evident even as he'd slowed and grown grey and his face was deeply lined. "I'm sticking around a while, it seems. My little girl is making peace with the idea that I'll be gone soon... But she isn't quite ready yet. I'm in no rush, and Kitty always said our children come first."