Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

After Kate was gone, Brogan gave Julia a smile and stood once more to come to her side. "Wha's that look for, darlin'? Y'seem worried." He leaned down to kiss her cheek. He knew she could see his fatigue, but he'd do his best to hide it nonetheless.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know when you push too hard, love." Julia said softly. "And I won't have you falling ill because of it. I'm simply trying to care for you the best way that I know how."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm okay fer now. My biggest concern is Marianne. But... I think we might have t'postpone Chester anyway. I'm no' sure if I can 'andle more travelin' so soon." He knew he needed to take it easy. He wouldn't risk ruining the journey completely by getting sick.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll send a letter to my brother. We will stay here until you feel better." Julia said softly, willing to move the earth for her husband if she needed to. "Besides, those little girls of ours will wear us out no matter what."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha' they will." Brogan touched her cheek with a smile and returned to the bed to lay back and rest for a while, hoping Marianne wouldn't mind. The cook sent up a tray of a few things for them and eventually Brogan and Julia came to meet with the High Queen. She looked a bit better than expected, and was incredibly glad to see her dear friends.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Lynndon must be napping. I'm sure you willingly wouldn't be away from him if he weren't." Julia said as she took a seat beside her husband. "You're looking well. Everyone told us that you weren't quite yourself. We were expecting the worst."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I was practically wasting away til this morning. I didn't even want to get up and I wasn't sure if I was up to seeing you two at all, not even Kate. But I keep finding reasons to get up, and I suppose that's a good thing. Now what about you two? You look tired, Brogan."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Brogan has the same illness as his mother." Julia said softly as she reached out to take his hand. "We are taking the news as it comes. This trip to Chester has been rough on him so we have decided to stay a little longer than usual here in Edinburgh."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need, you know that. And it will give Kate some extra time to get to know Edinburgh and for the people to know her. If anything, the constant change has caused a fairly noticeable decline in the city. Knowing a young Ghis is taking over has really brightened some spirits, and seeing her around will do even more."

"Tha's the plan," Brogan agreed with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She will do what is best for Scotland, Marianne. She is very eager to learn and has a healthy dose of fear that will serve her very well." Julia said with a smile as Marianne mentioned that many in Scotland were eager to hear that a Ghis were taking the throne. "She, of course, leans on her Da as much as possible as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Gale chose well. But I had no idea he was going to choose her. I didn't know what his plan was at all. I thought he might appoint a regent until Lynndon was of age, but I suppose he and Kayla knew they didn't want that little boy forced into court life and being a king. He would never have a chance to be his own man."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's a happy, sunny little boy. I think Kayla wanted him to have the childhood that she did in Inverness." Julia said softly. "He adores Aleister and Kayla is doing a good job raising him. I know we all wish that Gale were around to see that little boy, but this is the second best thing we could have hoped for."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Aleister is a lovely man... And he treats Lynndon like his own. That's the next best thing I could possibly want for my only grandson. I'm glad to consider him part of the family after how he's cared for Kayla. And being an old comrade of yours, Brogan, I see even more reason to admire him."

"Fine man. Good fighter. Probably one o' my most trusted veterans. Almos' wish he was still an axeman, I could use 'im. But the good 'e's doin' now is much more valuable t'me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Kayla has discovered a joy in baking." Julia said with a smile towards Marianne. "She is doing very well."

Glancing towards Brogan, she reached over and took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Marianne, may I ask what your relationship with Warwick is? Valentina has tried for years to get an answer out of him, but he always seems to dodge the question."

 

[KieranSoares]

"What are you implying?" Marianne asked, not offended but a bit surprised that anyone would ask.

"He's been your best man fer years, since 'e came here an' pulled 'imself t'gether. An' since Gale passed... Well, we heard ye've been inseparable," Brogan reasoned. "No' implying anythin', really. Jus' curious."

Marianne sighed then. "He is my dearest and closest friend, I'll say that much... But I don't know if anything more will ever be in question. Warwick and I are old. He's even older than me. I don't know if I could stand to love and lose again, especially not with my health. If he did return those feelings, I would break his heart before long. And I can't do that to him. Not after sweet Ashelin."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It is better to have love and lost than to never have loved at all." Julia said softly as Marianne talked about what Warwick meant to her. "Cole and Valentina worry about him, but he assures them that he is right where he wants to be in his life right now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I try to give him a place to belong. It's good to know he can find some happiness here."

"You've given me a lovely home, milady," Warwick's voice came as he entered to join them.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia glanced towards the door as Warwick came in, a smile on her lips as she saw the way that Marianne looked at him fondly. Even if she didn't want to admit that she needed someone to make her happy in her life, it seemed that the two of them had found something in common that would get them through their twilight years.

"It's good to see you again, Warwick." Julia said as she stood from her husband's side and hugged the man tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Warwick wrapped an arm about Julia, the opposite hand remaining on his cane. "Hello, my dear Julia. It's been a long, long time." When they parted, he took a seat beside Marianne with a sigh. "All is in order, milady. The kitchen is preparing a proper feast for this evening and the council is prepared to welcome Princess Katherine whenever you see fit."

"Thank you, Warwick," Marianne said softly, patting his hand lightly. Smiling to Brogan and Julia once more, she said, "He said we simply couldn't spare a thing when it came to Kate's arrival as well as yours, being such longtime friends."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, you know that we enjoy simple things." Julia said as she smiled at the both of them. "Kate even more than the rest of us. Katherine is a strange girl, one who definitely sees the beauty in things that most young girls never would. She is deadly with a bow, but has a soft heart for those that she deems fit to hold close."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think it's about time for a Queen who's out of the ordinary anyhow. A tiny thing like her could probably earn a lot of ridicule until she proves just how powerful she can be. Then she'll have more men like her father wrapped around her little finger. I fully expect her to be herself, no holding back for courtly conduct. Gale wanted her because of who she is, not because she could be like me or any of my family. He wanted a young spitfire who isn't afraid to take control but knows when to let things be too, and your Kate is perfect for the job. I'm afraid I don't have that kind of spirit anymore, but I do see a little bit of my younger self in her... especially in my prime, back when she was just a baby. I could've moved all of Scotland even without Brian, and I certainly did when you came to me for help. I sent all I could spare to help you, and sent the rest to seal the borders against Norway. Those were tense, but thrilling days to be sure, and that made the peacetime so much sweeter."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, she is certainly a Ghis through and through. Strong spirit, strong mind, and a good set of morals. She will make you very proud." Julia said as she watched Brogan puff with pride as they talked about his favorite child. "And when Rho is old enough to take control of Inverness, I'm sure that Brogan and I will be here in Edinburgh every chance that we can get."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I never expected Rho an' Sam t'rise t'the title... never thought they'd 'ave to. But Rho's turnin' into a fine Prince an' Sam's takin' after Kell if not a little quieter. They'll always 'ave Annie an' Ciaran t'keep 'em from gettin' too serious about their job, and they'll 'ave Heather an' Ashelin t'teach an' make 'em laugh. I know they'll leave Inverness at th'drop of a hat t'come see Kate if they think she needs 'em. All in all... I think we did pretty well," Brogan nodded with a content smile.

"They'll all be welcome here anytime, even before Kate takes the throne," Marianne assured him. "And I'll be glad to see Rhodan and Samuel now and again at court while they're still learning."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Rho has proven that he's not going to let his disability stop him. Sam, however, has a lot of guilt over what happened to his brother. As many times as I've talked to him about it, he still carries that painful night close to his heart." Julia said softly. "Perhaps he will lose that in time, but it breaks my heart to see him suffer. He was such a cheerful little boy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll give 'im one thing... Sam's good at channelin' 'is guilt into somethin' constructive. 'E's always out helpin' with somethin' while Rho does th'talking. They make one hell of a team. But I hope tha' guilt goes away when 'e realizes Rho is in 'is element now an' he's thriving. Sam's worried 'e ruined Rho's life by no' bein' able t'save 'is arm."

"He'll come out of it sooner or later," Warwick commented quietly. "Selena was the same when she couldn't protect Boar. And if anything, your Sam reminds me a lot of her. Rhodan is more like you when you were small."