Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Or a lot more work," Brogan chuckled just before she kissed him. With a content smile on his face, he let her go and fell back on their bed with a long, happy sigh. Much as he worried about everything, there was little going wrong any more.

 

[heartofcourage]

*/Julia laughed softly as she leaned in and kissed his cheek as she snuggled up against his side. It was nice to not have all the worry that usually followed them around. Peace was what they had fought for and peace is what they had finally been given. It was a nice little feeling for herself and her large family.

As the weather grew mild when winter ended, it was finally time to set off for their trip. Julia had made sure that they had everything that they might need, including some gifts for her brother and his wife. The twins were no longer tiny babies. They could sit up and were bright and alert most of the time. Ashelin was happiest with her father, calling Da whenever he was in the room. It was very clear that she was the new apple of his eye. Kate gladly gave her little sister the title, doting on her like a proud sibling would. Heather was quiet most of the time, a serene beauty like her Aunt Kayla and her Grandmother Kitty.

Annie and David were the only members not going on the trip, little Danny still too young to make the journey. They would stay behind and watch Inverness along with Durban and Boar. The kingdom was in very capable hands while they were gone. Kate and Kell would ride beside the wagon that Brogan would drive with Julie and the twins. Ciaran would ride as well, watching his brothers as they shared the new war horse that Annie had given them for their birthday.

 

[KieranSoares]

Rho had managed to assume leadership of the journey, proudly riding in front of Sam on the charger saddle with map in hand, receiving only occasional corrections from Brogan who knew the way by heart. Sam was stoic as ever, and it was becoming clear just what kind of leadership Inverness had to look forward to. Rho was the charismatic voice and confidence, while Sam was the quiet defender and the one who carried out what his brother could not. Brogan encouraged them constantly in this, often giving the boys examples from Kate and Kell or their Aunt Kayla and Uncle Christopher. He had made Durban Sam's chief trainer, and Brogan was Rho's. Both took more refined lessons from their mother and it seemed both were equally apt in such things as courtly behavior as they grew older and wiser and got into less mischief.

Ciaran, now eighteen, was a proper man by all accounts, and had taken it upon himself to act as a sort of protector for his brothers, especially Rho since he'd been announced as Crown Prince of Inverness. Ciaran had been away a short while to Aberdeen with the boys to meet the King there, one of Inverness' most peaceful and loyal neighbors. Being truly his mother's son, Ciaran was proving he had a soft but stern diplomatic air and he knew how to coax out what he needed or make a person see reason quite successfully. Many knew him better as the Queen's son rather than the King's.

And Kate was having a similar time as the King's daughter and heir to the High Queen's throne. It had apparently been decided in Edinburgh that the title of Queen of Scotland was to be considered 'High Queen' and Kate's claim to the throne would be considered in a meeting of clan and county lords. The Clans were separate from the counties, but still held a firm bearing on the approval and future of the monarch because they were sovereign allies. The journey to Edinburgh would now be twofold: to see Marianne, and for Kate to make her first impression on several county lords and a few Clan Kings. Their first visit would actually be in Glasgow where Kate would meet the Duke there. In Edinburgh she'd see the King of Aberdeen and Cahal, but also the other northwestern kings and nobles from cities like Dumfries and Liverpool and the noble council of Edinburgh itself.

 

[heartofcourage]

They had entered Glasgow shortly before nightfall and were shown to their lodging by the adviser to the king. The great hall had been set up for a feast, welcoming the royal family of Inverness as well as celebrating the fact that the future queen was in attendance. Kate was incredibly nervous about her first duties for the crown and she leaned heavily on her mother and her father for guidance.

"Ma, are you sure about all of this?" Kate asked in a nervous voice as her mother helped her lace up the special court dress that she had made especially for her red haired daughter.

"Kitten, you have nothing to worry about. We have enjoyed many years with the king of Glasgow as our friend. This is nothing but a short formality." Julia murmured as she turned Kate to face her, looking over her beautiful daughter with a slight smile on her face. "You are doing something that few women have ever done before. When these kings and nobles look at you, I want them to know at a glace that not only are you a woman but you are also their queen. There is a time and a place for trousers and swords but right now I want you to shine like the jewel of Inverness that you are."

Kate blushed deeply at her mother's words, giving her a slight smile as the door opened and her father stepped into the room. Ashelin was in the crook of one arm, wearing her own little dress made from the Ghis tartan. She was babbling nonsense to her father, playing with his beard and the Ghis crest around his neck. Heather glanced up from her spot on the floor where she had been watching her mother and sister and playing with her stuffed horse.

"Your Da and I had something special made for you, kitten." Julia said as she walked to Brogan and took the wooden box from his hand. "A queen needs a crown and we hope that when you are far away in Edinburgh, you will wear this one and remember Inverness."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know you ain' one fer a lot o' pomp an' showin' off riches, so I asked th' Gol Dun smith t'make ya something simple," Brogan told her as Julia opened the box. Inside, nestled in soft cloth for safety, was a silver circlet with dark patterns etched into the surface. It had only three gems- a jet, a blue topaz, and a diamond for the Ghis colors- and was made the perfect size to sit upon Kate's brow. The court crown of Edinburgh would surely be an old, larger thing, but the circlet could be worn both everyday and on special occasion and still be both simple enough and immaculate enough to serve as the mark of the Queen in both situations so that Kate would probably only have to wear the large crown in her coronation and very specific events. Even Marianne rarely wore the thing, preferring her own simple gold circlet.

 

[heartofcourage]

Ashelin tried to reach for the shiny crown but Julia was quick to take her youngest twin's hand. "No, love. This is just for Kate." She pressed a kiss to Ashelin's cheek as Kate took in the entire scene.

"I don't know how to wear a crown." Kate said softly.

"I'll teach you how." Julia said softly as she took Kate and had her sit so she could tame her hair.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan turned with Ashelin to sit down, but before he could, a knock sounded on the door. He opened it up for Sam and Rho and Ciaran to file in. Each was dressed their best, but Rho was dressed the brightest per Sam's request to mark him as Crown Prince. Sam preferred the more subdued, dark colors as his brother's right hand. Ciaran was dressed mostly in dark maroon, complementing his hair which was just a bit lighter than his brothers and youngest sisters. He had begun growing a beard, but he'd trimmed it carefully for the occasion.

"Does this look okay, Mama?" Rho asked his mother when she looked up. He looked dapper and noble, but he and Sam never asked for rich garments or gold or silver. Rho had taken to tucking his empty sleeve into the front of his vest rather than letting it hang or having his shirts and jackets changed to remove the sleeve. He rather liked the look and wore it proudly as it told of how he and Sam had fought for the sake of their home and their parents.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think all of you look very handsome." Julia said as she finished pinning Kate's hair and helped her daughter to place her new crown upon her brow. "We look like a true royal family for the first time."

Julia laughed softly, letting Kate alone to get use to the idea of the next person that was staring back at her in the mirror. She moved to kneel in front of Rho, helping him to adjust the sash that he wore across his chest. He was a handsome boy, growing up much too fast for her liking. She pressed a kiss to his forehead and then moved to Sam. Sam was much the same, growing too fast for their mother. She simply cupped his face in her hand and kissed his cheek.

"And Ciaran, you look very handsome as well. I think the beard suits you." Julia said as she gave her eldest a smile before she picked up Heather and held the little girl on her hip.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I certainly try," Ciaran said while straightening his jacket.

"You've got no idea 'ow many lasses ask me whether yer courtin' 'r not, lad," Brogan chuckled.

"He's not interested, he's got Justin!" Rho piped up with a mischievous grin. Ciaran sighed and shook his head.

"Justin is a friend, Rho. I'm not ready to consider him anything more just yet."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Justin?" Julia asked, looking at Ciaran was Rho told them the name of the new man in his life. "Is there something that you need to tell us, my heart?"

Heather suddenly leaned to the side, her arms reaching out for her father. She wanted to be with Brogan and her twin, snuggling up against his warm chest with a content sigh. Those two little girls loved him more than perhaps any of their other children had. He hung the stars in their eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan took Heather while Ciaran sighed and met his mother's gaze. "He's only a friend, Ma. I'm not quite ready to let Lir go yet, and I'm not sure I want another relationship anytime soon at all. There's too much work to do."

"I won' blame ya fer no' bein' over Lir, but if ya hold off on love fer th'sake o' work, ye'll never 'ave love at all," Brogan warned him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your Da knows that very well." Julia said as Kate came to join their family moments, her hands smoothing over the dark blue gown that had been made for this special occasion. "You're beautiful, kitten. Kell will be speechless when he sees you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Let's hope he doesn' stay tha' way. He's got a lot t'answer to as future Protector," Brogan said with a smile and a kiss pressed to Kate's forehead. "Everyone ready? Let's meet our Wolf an' get t'dinner. Lot o' people are excited t'see us an' their future allied Queen."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia took the twins from Brogan to allow him to enter the hall freely. It wasn't a secret that he adored his family, but she had always made sure that he entered a room full of his peers at the height of his strength. Rho was just the same way, entering behind his father with bright eyes and excitement on his features. He would do well as the future king of Inverness. Kate was the last to enter behind her family, blushing deeply as she caught sight of Kell.

"Ma thought all of this was appropriate for tonight." She said softly as she came to his side, his opinion meaning the world to her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell was rendered speechless at the sight of Kate, and she saw he was dressed in full black and white with a Ghis tartan sash, a proper mark for him considering he was to be the protector of the daughter of the Ghis. Though there were no bright colors, Kell looked handsome and better groomed than ever before. He approached Kate slowly and took her hands. "Wow..." was all he could say at first.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You....really like this?" Kate asked as Kell appeared speechless, taking her hands and looking her up and down. "Ma said that you would be speechless. I guess she was right."

Julia watched the two of them with a smile as she took her seat at the high table. The twins were good as gold as they sat in her lap and watched everything going on around them. She was in love with those babies and she would have done anything to make sure that they were happy and well cared for.

 

[KieranSoares]

A smile came to Kell's face and he pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I think the only way you'd be more beautiful is running through the forest on a hunt." He let her take his arm as they made a proper entry together much to the delight of the King's court. It seemed Glasgow was very glad to have a Ghis for a future allied ruler. Kate would find opposition elsewhere because of her gender or her youth, but Glasgow was the first of several completely on her side.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate was seated at a place of honor beside her father. She had never felt more proud and out of place at the same time. She kept looking up at him, wondering if she were doing the right things. He looked proud of her each and every time.

"I suppose I had to grow up sometime, Da." Kate said softly as she took his hand and squeezed it tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You don' ever have t'grow up," Brogan told her softly. "Jus' know when t'be mature, an' ye can be a child at heart all yer life an' enjoy it. I know I still do. So does yer Gran. Yer brother an' sister do too on occasion."

The King of Glasgow, Gallus MacDonnell, soon entered with his own family consisting of his wife and three sons and little daughter. He was a jolly man, fairly large in stature and a bit round in the belly. He had once been considered the late King Brian's brother in many ways. So being like an Uncle to the late King Gale, it was both Gallus' duty and honor to bring in the daughter of the family Brian and Gale had trusted most after the passing of Tamblin.

Gallus and Brogan were old friends, and greeted one another heartily as brother Clan Kings. Then Gallus came to Kate and Kell. He bowed low with a smile. "Milady. Welcome t'Glasgow. It's an honor."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Your highness." Kate said as she stood and curtsied towards him under her mother's watchful eye.

She might have hated the lessons that her mother had taught her growing up, but Kate was incredibly grateful now for the time that she had taken. Kate had never made it easy on her poor mother, but she knew now just why Julia had always insisted on her daughter knowing how to conduct herself at court.

"Thank you for allowing us to come to your home." She continued, noticing the way that her mother smiled.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's an honor an' a privilege, lass," Gallus told her as he took her hand in a gesture of sincerity. She'd met him a few times in her life and he'd always been this way and ever supportive of the next generation. He bid her sit down and relax, and he addressed his court with a well-planned speech about the many years that Inverness had stood together. Even in the time of Tamblin and his father, Glasgow had been neutral to Inverness, but their ally before and after that dark time. Gallus spoke of the troubles Inverness had faced, and how Kate had gone from Princess to Knight to future High Queen in only a couple short years. He told of Kell and his service, attempting to endear Kell to the court despite his family reputation.

When Gallus finally sat down there was thunderous applause and the feast began. Kate was given the chance to eat before meeting the most influential men of Gallus' court. There were warriors and guardians like Cole, but then there were the more refined gentlemen who came from the richer parts of the city. All were courteous and a few even requested dances later on, yielding the first dances to her father, brothers, and Protector of course.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate's head was spinning with all of the activity going on around her. She had met so many new people, been charmed by men far richer and older than she was, but she only really had eyes for her wolf. He was like an exotic bird among preening peacocks. It made her smile to think that she had already found the love of her life so young.

When the dancing began, the first person that she allowed to pull her out onto the floor was her father. She had always loved dancing with him. It was something that he did often with their Ma, but it felt like forever since he had last twirled her around the floor.

 

[KieranSoares]

Despite his gruff looks and huge form, years of training for war had served to make Brogan graceful, and years of wooing Julia and entertaining his daughters or women in his family had made him quite the dancer. He'd taught Kate when she was small, and Annie and Ciaran, whereas Rho and Sam had learned from Julia and Heather and Ashelin would probably learn from both.

Taking Kate in his arms, Brogan kissed her cheek and gladly stepped in time with her. Normally walking, his steps were a bit uneven from old wounds and his knees being a bit on the stiff side. But his dance form was still impeccable. "Beauty," he murmured. "I'm so proud o' you, Kate."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm proud of you too, Da." Kate said with a smile as they danced around the floor. "You managed to get our entire family to Glasgow in one piece AND you made Ma smile by having us all dress up in our finest clothing. I certainly know that you are a hopeless romantic when it comes to her."

She was always in awe of how her father handled himself when it came to his family first and his kingdom second. As his family grew larger and larger, he never once turned his back on any of his responsibilities. When she became a mother, she would have to learn how to balance all the same things that her father had.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Been doin' it since yer Uncle Boar was born. I 'ope I'm some kinda good at it by now," Brogan chuckled, twirling her easily. It was just as much for their own enjoyment as it was to show off Kate's natural grace. Little as some thought, dancing was an important part of entertaining at a ball or feast.