Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

“I’m alright.” She said softly as Ciaran cupped her cheek, his eyes showing true concern for her. “Just a little scared with all the activity.” She didn’t have the heart to tell him what she was really worried about.

Julia leaned forward and pressed her lips to his briefly. As she pulled away, she gave him a small smile. “Stay safe, Ciaran.” She squeezed his hand and then pulled away, continuing on her way to Kitty’s room.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran watched her go, a little unsure if she was being honest. But Inverness' safety couldn't wait, so he hurried away.

Kitty's door was open and she was sitting with a few of the women or the Keep, including Cole's wife. Kitty was the calmest of the group while the others were all worried for their husbands and sons nearly to tears. Kitty was worried too, but despite it all and her own physical weakness, she was the strong support. That's where Brogan got it from. She looked up at Julia entered, "Evenin', sweetie. C'mere, sit with me."

The women all nodded to her, a few even muttered, "Your ladyship," along with it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia gave Kitty a smile and sat down beside her, the knitting she had brought resting in her lap as she took her mother-in-law’s hand and squeezed it. “Everything will be alright. Brogan will make sure that we are safe.” She said softly, most for her own benefit.

“I was hoping that while we waited, you might show me some more tricks with my knitting. Brogan is looking forward to seeing it finished.” She knew that some of the women gathered would think she was insane for suggesting that they knit while they waited. Julia had long learned that there was no sense in worrying about something that was out of her control and would put her mind to menial tasks to keep the fear and worry away.

 

[KieranSoares]

"O'course, love," Kitty picked up her own knitting when it was offered by one of the young girls with them. Most of the younger children were elsewhere in the keep. Within a half hour, the rage of battle could be heard outside, making a few of the women tear up in fear. Kitty just sighed quietly, and Julia could see her hands begin shaking the slightest bit. Brogan was the only thing on her mind.

 

[heartofcourage]

The sound of the battle outside was fierce and try as she might, Julia couldn’t ignore it. Cole’s wife wept in fear and she noticed Kitty shaking with the worry over her son. Reaching over, Julia took the older woman’s hands and clenched them tightly, giving her a small smile of reassurance.

“He’ll come back just fine, Kitty, I promise.” She said softly, trying to think of something to perk the woman up. “He’s going to bring Annie home too. He asked me this evening if I would mind. Just think of all the things we will do with the wee one.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Kitty chuckled softly, knowing Julia was trying to help, and she could only hug her daughter-in-law and say softly, "I'm so glad yer here, Julia..."

After nearly an hour, the sounds of battle died down, and people began returning to the Keep, many carrying wounded men between them on makeshift stretchers. The women emerged to help all they could, and they found ten dead men among thirty wounded. Cole was among the mortally wounded, but he was still clinging to life as his wife came running to his side. Ciaran had suffered a bloody gash to his jaw but little more, and was helping another, larger man support a heavily wounded Brogan, who kept growling at the two of them that he was fine and didn't need help, despite the arrow and long slash in his calf. It looked as if he'd been stabbed in the stomach, a wound which would drop a lesser man in his tracks, and he had three more broken arrow shafts protruding from his shoulders and upper left arm.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia hadn’t expected to see men dead and dying. Cole was holding out for his wife and when she was at his side, she could see that he wasn’t long for this world. It broke her heart that a young life would be taken away just like that, leaving a widow and children behind. Then she spotted Brogan and she nearly fainted.

“Brogan…” She gasped, hurrying to her striken husband’s side. “Brogan, calm down. We will make sure that your wounds are tended to and growling like a bear will not help the matter.”

She hadn’t meant to scold her husband in front of his men, but she was worried and concerned. Glancing towards Ciaran, she could tell that he’d taken a blow to the face. “Ciaran, you need to be tended to as well. And go be with Cole…”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be fine," Ciaran said softly as soon as they had Brogan sitting down. He went to his twin brother's side, doing all he could to catch the tiny chance that they could save him. Brogan grunted in more annoyance than pain, leaning back in the chair. The healers and doctors of Inverness were quick to tend to him and Cole, being the two most heavily wounded.

Brogan looked to Julia, having not minded in the slightest her scolding, "Y'alright, love...?" He asked softly as he wiped blood away from a small gash on the bridge of his nose while the healers beside him began extracting the arrow shafts. Brogan didn't make a sound as they did, but his body tensed entirely.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I’m fine.” She said softly, kneeling by his side the whole time that the healers pulled the arrows from his body. Taking his hand, she squeezed it tightly as she felt his body tense as they extracted the deadly items.

“A damp cloth, please.” Julia ordered from a passing woman and as soon as it was given to her, she wiped her husband’s face of the dirt and blood that had gathered from the battle.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well... We held out 'til they turned tail an' ran... Cole got their commander, whole army fell 'part." He smiled bitterly, knowing one of his best men was dying. "R'mind me t'give 'im a medal fer that..."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You can tell him yourself when everything is said and done. If I know Ciaran, he’ll make sure that his brother pulls through.” Julia said, giving Brogan a smile for his own benefit.

“All you need to worry about is getting better yourself, Brogan.” She murmured softly, stroking his cheek as the healers took care of his wounds. “Your brother will be arriving tomorrow and then we must start planning for Annie. I cannot do all of that without you at my side.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan leaned his head into her hand with a quiet sigh, trying to relax. It didn't take long for the bandages and whatnot to be finished, and Brogan was escorted by two large men to his room to rest, despite Brogan's protests that he needed to stay for Cole. Soon, Brogan was left sitting on the edge of his bed. With a grunt from the exertion on his tired and wounded muscles, he began pulling off the belt about his waist. But due to the arrow wound in his arm, he simply couldn't lift his arm high enough to pull off the belt about his chest, and the buckle was in the back where he couldn't reach it. So, begrudgingly at having to ask, he said softly, "Julia... love, can y'help me...?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia followed along side Brogan like the dutiful wife, helping the men to get him into their room to rest. He wanted to stay for Cole, to make sure that the man was safe, and it took some doing before he was finally convinced that he needed to look after himself even more. Once they were alone again, she set about busying herself with his needs.

Pausing when he asked her softly for help, Julia nodded and silently moved to help him remove his belts. Once everything was stored away, she grabbed another damp close and started to clean his grimy flesh.

“Do you need anything else, Brogan? Water or food?” She was there for him, making sure that everything was taken care of.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah... I'm alright..." Brogan sighed, and she could visibly see the rippling tension in his muscles begin to relax. As sore as he was, he didn't care, he just wanted to sleep. But at the same time, he couldn't. He was too worried about Cole, and he had too many thoughts for the other wounded and the ten dead that he was responsible for. Their wives would know within the hour if they didn't know already. What could Brogan say, other than the obvious fact that those men gave their lives for their homeland and deserved to be heroes? What could he say that would calm a widow or a fatherless child? He fought with these thoughts before, during, and after every battle. And for the first time in his life, he spoke aloud of it.

"What'll I say t'their families...?" This was the first insight Julia had to the softness behind the barbarian warriors' unyielding ways in war. The Celtic Scots were well known for fighting to the last man even when victory was impossible, but when they did fight, the English never saw the sadness behind the scenes. The English thought the Scottish didn't care who died, that was a great factor in what had branded the Scots barbarians in the English eye.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia paused when she heard Brogan’s question. Placing her rag aside, she remained kneeling at her husband’s side as she pondered the unenviable task of consoling a grieving family. Gently, she picked up his large hand and help it gentle between her own, sighing softly as she carefully thought over her answer.

“You tell them that they died honorably defending their home and you let them know that you grieve their loss along with them.” She said softly, knowing that it was hard for her husband to express the sorrow that was building in his heart. “Nothing will take away the pain that they feel, Brogan. No matter how sweetly you say the words, they have lost someone dear to them. Show them through simple gestures.”

She could see the tension in her husband still and she let out a little sigh. “Would you like me to go check on Cole?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"No... I want ya 'ere with me, love. They'll let me know 'ow 'e is e'ery so of'en..." Brogan looked up at her, "Are y'okay...? Was worried fer ya all th'time I was out there... I'm sorry I 'ad t'leave ya like that'..." Leave it to Brogan to feel bad about not satisfying her before having to rush off to battle.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Brogan, that’s the least of my worries right now.” Julia said, giving him a small smile and patting his hand gently. “And I’m alright. I was worried about you while you were out there. We could hear the sounds of the battle through the walls.”

“Your mother was especially worried. I did all I could to distract her.” She wanted him to be proud with how she had handled the entire situation.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'know... I think yer jus' what we needed," Brogan touched her cheek and picked his head up to kiss her. "An' I want ya t'know... I meant what I said earlier. I love you..." He kissed her again, keeping his dark eyes fixed and full of warmth on her beautiful face. He didn't think he could fall in love again, especially not with her, and especially not so fast.

 

[heartofcourage]

The gentle touch of his large hand against her cheek had Julia turning her gaze towards her husband. She was surprised as he kissed her gently and declared that he indeed did love her. She was stunned into silence as he kissed her again, his eyes fixed on hers as they shared the moment together. When the kiss broke, she stared down at her husband with a soft sigh.

“And I care for you a great deal, Brogan.” She said softly, stroking her hand over his cheek.

She was so confused. She wanted to love Brogan, and it was true that she did care for him deeply, but her mind kept thinking about Ciaran and what he meant to her as well. She should come clean and confess to what she’d done with Ciaran, but the look in Brogan’s eyes told her to not ruin the moment.

“I’m going to go get news on Cole. You relax and I’ll return in a moment.” She pressed a kiss to his forehead and turned to leave the room.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan knew he shouldn't have hoped for her to love him so quickly, but he couldn't help just a bit of heartache when she didn't return the gesture. He didn't blame her at all, though. He was far from what she'd ever wanted and the beginning of their time together wasn't exactly enjoyable. He let it go, and just closed his eyes. Sleep took him faster than he expected, and when Julia returned, he was deep asleep, unwakeable really.

Cole was sleeping soundly too. He'd survived the worst, but he was still on death's doorstep. Knowing the hardy Scots, though, he might just make it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was pleased to find the Cole was sleeping soundly, still in danger, but showing signs of rallying. It helped having a wife that cared as much as his did. She was at his side, doing whatever needed to be done to ensure that her husband survived this ordeal. She spotted Ciaran in the hall and she motioned him into a secluded spot to talk.

“He told me that he loves me.” She said softly, so much shame tinting her voice as she couldn’t even look Ciaran in the eye. “He loves me and I couldn’t even say it back because all I can think of is what we did together. Ciaran, I’m so confused…”

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran looked entirely stunned, but his features began to register doubt after a moment. "... Julia... I don' know if I'd believe 'im. I don' wan' t'upset ya, but... after what all's gone on t'day, 'e prob'ly let 'is emotions get t'him, thinkin' 'e might lose ya like Cassie..." Ciaran really hated to bring her up, but he truly believed it. "Brogan ain' a man t'love so fast, an' 'e's a dangerous man t'fall in love with..." He placed gentle hands on her arms. "I love you... An' I always will. Brogan ain' steady, 'e's got a temper and y'know 'is mood can change any second. Again, I don' wanna upset ya, but this ain' gonna last..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia nodded, her heart aching at the thought the Brogan would run hot and cold when it came to their relationship. She supposed with a man like Brogan she had to expect that kind of thing. He could love her one moment and cast her aside the next.

“I guess you’re right.” She said softly, looking up at Ciaran as he declared that he loved her once more and gently placed his hands on her arms. “And I love you too.”

She leaned forward and gently kissed her lover, giving him a small smile as her confusion became all the greater.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I jus' don' want ya to get yer heart broken, Julia," he spoke softly, drawing her into a loving embrace. After just holding her for a while, he kissed her forehead, "Now... ye better get some rest... tomorrow'll be a long day fer most o' us, an' Brogan's brother's comin'."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia nodded as he kissed her forehead and told her to get some rest. She knew tomorrow would be busy with Brogan’s brother arrive and dealing with the aftermath of the battle that had happened. She left Ciaran and returned to her room, seeing the Brogan was already sleeping.

Good, she thought to herself. He needed the rest after what he’d been through. Changing into her night clothes, Julia crawled into the bed beside him, yawing as her head hit the pillow and she drifted off to sleep, her mind still reeling from the thoughts that plagued her.