Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

The next morning, they set out again. Brogan let Annie sleep against him as they went, until they safely came upon a large stone structure about the same size as Brogan's keep in Inverness, accompanied by barracks and stables and homes clustered together. A bugle sounded over the fortress as they approached, and from afar they could hear shouts: "All t'attention fer th' royal family Ghis!"

When they came close, the great oak doors opened for them and they were met with lines of hardened Scottish warriors and, with some of them, their families. As they entered, several kind women rushed to put cloaks about them all, seeing their lack of proper protection from the cold. Brogan kissed the hand of the woman who cloaked himself and Annie, thanking her whole-heartedly. He dismounted in front of the commanding officer of the fortress, Annie in his arms while a warrior took his horse.

"M'keng, wha's 'appened?" The officer asked worriedly.

"Wick's gone too far, tha's what's 'appened, General," Brogan answered. "Arland Wick's dead, but we ain' done by a long shot..."

"I'll double th' border guard, sir."

"Good man..."

"Come int' th' strong'old, m'lord, m'lady," an older woman bade them. "We'll 'ave a proper meal fer ya soon an' somethin' t'warm yer bones." She was particularly worried about the children and then Theo's wounds. They were all seen by a doctor before being allowed to do much else.

Within the hour, they were all settled before a blazing hearth in fresh clothes after a quick bath for each and a meal. Brogan had Annie on his lap and Julia at his side with Ciaran. Theo was speaking quietly with an officer about the ways of the Inverness warriors. After all, he was to become one as he had no intention of taking a domestic job.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was snuggled up against her husband’s side, watching little Ciaran who wiggled and squirmed on the blanket in front of the fire. He was as happy as could be, finally free from the tight swaddling that he hated so much. Her thoughts were a million miles away, her stomach rolling still with the thoughts of what had happened on that bed in Wick’s castle. She let out a heavy sigh and leaned her head against Brogan’s broad shoulder.

“Annie love, why don’t you see if the cook has any cookies for you.” Julia said softly, looking at her daughter as the little girl shook her head and clung to her father. “Oh, little love, I promise you that nothing else bad will ever happen to you.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan drew Annie up against his chest, "It's okay, darlin', I'm right 'ere an' this place is jus' as safe as Inverness Keep. Don' let fear control ya, love." He kissed her cheek, letting her settle and decide if she wanted to stay or go. "If ye'd like, y'can pack up a few t'take with us 'ome, aye?" He offered with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Will you come with me, Mummy?” Annie asked in the most pitiful voice and Julia let out a sigh, nodding as she looked at Brogan for a moment.

“Watch Ciaran for me? We’ll return shortly.” With that Julia took Annie’s little hand in hers, walking her into the kitchens so that she could ask for the cookies that she wanted but wasn’t brave enough to go in search of on her own.

As they sat and waited for the cook, Julia looked at Annie and ran her hand through the girl’s soft black hair. “Little love, you know that what happened will never happen again, right?”

She watched as Annie nodded, her blue eyes holding a lot of worry and doubt. “Your Da will never let anyone treat us like that again. I promise you, love, that you will never be put in that position again.”

She bent down and pressed a kiss to the little girl’s forehead, still extremely worried about her, but knowing that it would take time before she had the courage to do things again. It would take time for everyone to recover from such an event.

 

[KieranSoares]

By the time Julia and Annie returned, Brogan was speaking to an officer with Ciaran in one arm. She heard the news, but thankfully Annie didn't catch it: Wick soldiers were following them, and waiting for them to leave to ambush them.

"We've spotted about twenty riders, so we'll send you with an escort double that size, sir," the officer spoke with a light Welsh accent.

"Good... If it were jus' me alone, I'd lead you lads out t'fight properly... but no' with m'family 'ere."

"Understandable sir. I'd do the same if my own little girl was at risk. You're a good father and husband, milord, don't feel guilty for avoiding the fight."

"Thank ya, lad," Brogan clapped him on the shoulder before returning to Julia. Ciaran was peacefully asleep, entirely unaware of anything that was going on thanks to his age.

 

[heartofcourage]

Settleing back in her seat, Julia looked up at Brogan as she heard the dire news. It wasn’t something that she wanted to think about right then, but she supposed that she needed to for the sake of her children. Little Ciaran dozed in his father’s arms, but Annie would sense the danger right away.

“Love, let’s talk about this.” She said softly as Brogan took his seat again. “Why send out a large force when they’re expecting a fight? It would be feeding into what they wanted. We could trick them.”

“My father always talked about sneaking up on other forces using camouflage. Perhaps we could make a break for Inverness when it’s dark wearing white cloaks and clothing. It would at least give us a head start and I know once we reach the city your brothers would be there to help.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"They'll be expectin' us t'sneak out 'r go with a larger force... I'm goin' fer the safer of th'two, darlin'. I'm not risking my family," Brogan met her eyes. "It's a good idea, love, but I'm jus' not confident enough righ' now t'try it." He had lost all confidence and trust in himself the moment he was rendered helpless, forced to watch his wife be raped by his worst enemy and branded with his seed.

"Sir, if I could offer something..." The officer stepped over. "Why not a combination of the two? If we distract them by sending out a scapegoat group, your family could flee with a few guards in camouflage."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia glanced at the officer and then back at Brogan, seeing her husband’s spirits flagging in the light of what had happened to his family.

“Brogan Ghis, I’m surprised at you. Where is the man that single handedly fought off Wick’s army when they threatened your lands? Where’s the man that threw Wick out of our wedding celebration when he insulted you? Love, we can’t change what’s already happened but thinking about the bad means that Wick has already won.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"In a way... 'e did win, e'en though he's dead." Brogan sighed, "but 'e only won a few battles, not th' war." He looked to the officer, "Get th' men ready fer nightfall."

"Yes sir."

Brogan settled back in silence a moment, his thoughts racing through his head at a million miles an hour.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia leaned over and pressed her lips firmly against her husband’s forehead as he sat back in silence. She didn’t know what else to do for him as she took Ciaran from his arms, glancing at Annie as she sat close to the fire, dozing herself on Ciaran’s warm wool blanket.

“You are the great king of Inverness and I’ve never seen a stronger man in my life.” She murmured softly, her forehead pressing tightly against his own. “You’ve stolen my heart and kept it so selfishly, only giving it back when this little one was born.”

“Brogan, love, it pains me to see these weak thoughts in you. What Wick did will take time to heal. If it produces…a child…then like you said we will deal with it. But please, love, do not think that it makes you any less of a person.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Th' only reason I was e'er strong since fallin' in love with you was b'cause you've been my strength Julia... Yer stronger than I've e'er been, I'd 'ave given up an' died with Wick attackin' us las' time if y'weren't there." Brogan spoke with perfect honesty, meeting the emerald eyes he loved so much.

"I'm nothin' without ya... an' it hurts more'n I can tell ya t'know I failed t'protect ya... I failed you an' th'kids..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia sighed softly as he confessed what he felt deep in his heart. He thought that he had failed and she didn’t know if she could convince him of anything else. She leaned her forehead tightly against his, her lips searching his out in a passionate kiss of soothing comfort. She wanted him to know that she didn’t think he was a failure. She wanted him to believe in himself again, but she knew that was going to be an uphill battle.

“You haven’t failed, love.” She whispered softly, for his ears only. “Things happen sometimes that are beyond our control. The fact that Annie and Ciaran made it through unscathed speaks volumes. The rest we will figure out. Just know that I love you more than my heart even understands and it does me great pain to see you this way.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'may be a bloody wicked woman... but yer still an angel," Brogan sought another kiss from her. "I love you, darlin', I love ya more every day."

That evening, their plans set into motion. Brogan saw to it that he, his family, and two warriors were dressed in white, and a large force was ready to be their scapegoat to draw the Wick soldiers away. As Brogan and Julia mounted white horses with their children in their arms, the general came to wish them well. He'd be leading the scapegoat force.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia fussed over little Ciaran as the baby decided that he had had enough of being swaddled. She kissed his little forehead, shushing him silently as Brogan talked one last time with the general that would be leading the other force. Ciaran’s little face was bright red with his angry cries and she worried that he would give them away on their secret run for freedom.

“Shhh…my heart you must be a good boy.” She murmured, kissing his forehead again as she ran her fingers through his thick shock of dark hair. “Please, Ciaran. I promise that you will never be swaddled again if you just calm down.”

Julia looked at Brogan, a bit of worry in her green eyes. She didn’t want the plan to fall apart because of their infant son.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan looked over, and came to take Ciaran. He whispered softly to his son, but Ciaran just wouldn't calm down. An older woman came to them, bringing a homemade pacifier for the boy. It was a godsend, and distracted the infant right away once his father let his hands free. Ciaran fell still and quiet, and Brogan could've just about kissed the woman for it.

Giving Ciaran back to Julia, Brogan climbed on his horse with Annie. "We need to go soon..."

 

[heartofcourage]

“We’ll go now.” Julia said as she pressed Ciaran tightly to her body, her cloak falling over the infant to keep him safe and warm during their ride. “Annie, love, you hold onto your Da tightly. We’ll be riding fast and I don’t want you getting hurt, little love.”

Julia leaned over in her saddle, kissing the little girl’s forehead as she wrapped her father in a tight hug, holding him tightly. One last kiss was pressed to Brogan’s lips before Julia righted herself again. She looked into his dark eyes and she saw so much there. He was worried, he was angry, but most of all, he had a little hope.

“Lead the way, my lord.” Julia said softly, pulling her white hood up and over her hair.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan pulled up his own hood as well and they made their way out into the courtyard. The other force set off first in regular dark armor and with dark horses. None carried torches, acting as if they were trying to sneak away. The Ghis family watched as they exited, and not ten minutes later as they neared the horizon, a large group of Wick soldiers appeared and pursued them. Immediately, Brogan led his family out of the courtyard and they got into a gallop. The sooner they were away from the area, the sooner they'd be safe.

It was at least a half-hour before Brogan deemed it safe enough to slow down, and they continued at a trot for who knew how long, until Inverness Keep loomed on the horizon. Brogan let out a soft chuckle of relief, but it was cut short with a dark grunt as a bolt thudded into his back. He kept himself from collapsing forward over Annie, moving the girl and setting her on Julia's saddle before Brogan's strength gave out and he fell from his horse. The other warriors had turned back, and were rushing to meet a group of ten Wick soldiers that had split off from the main force and followed.

Brogan growled weakly, trying to pick himself up. "Julia, run... get th' kids back t'Inverness."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was starting to feel safe as the keep loomed on the horizon. They would be home soon and safe. The thought actually brought a smile to her lips as she heard the sharp thud of a bolt. Turning, she paled as she saw Brogan jerk forward, his strength holding out long enough to protect Annie. There were ten riders behind them from Wick’s forces and she paled at the thought of leaving her husband out there as he told her to take the kids back to Inverness.

“I’m not leaving you here, love.” She said as she turned her horse back and took hold of his reigns. “You stay with me, Brogan. Hold onto your horse and we’ll ride fast.”

She pulled her horse until she was alongside Brogan, Annie watching in fear as her great father struggled to keep his saddle. Julia knew that she couldn’t bind Brogan in place lest he fall and get dragged. The only thing she could do is hope that he held on tightly.

“Hold on, Annie.” She murmured, her grip on Ciaran tightening as Annie wrapped her little arms tightly around her waist.

With a deep breath, she spurred both horses into a hard gallop, heading straight for the keep on the horizon.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan struggled the whole way. Not to hold on, but to stay awake. When they entered the Keep's courtyard, he finally failed and toppled from the horse in silence. Several men came running outside to take their king in and his family, and warriors were dispatched to fend off Wick immediately with Cole in the lead.

Vincenzo saw to Brogan while Valentina looked over the children and Julia. She soon joined her father, but they were with the great Scotsman for a worrying long time. When Valentina finally emerged an hour later, she came to hug Julia. "It's not good, Julia... the bolt is in his heart... we removed the shaft and he's still alive, but the arrowhead is stuck and dad can't risk taking it out."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia felt her entire world crumble with the news that Brogan was gravely wounded. She pulled herself from Val’s embrace, turning to pace the length of the great hall. Ciaran and Annie were with Kitty, receiving the love and comfort that only a grandmother could give. Her thoughts had to be on her husband and the horrible decisions that she was going to have to make.

“Take it out, Val.” She said softly, turning to look at the woman who was looking at her in shock. “He’ll live. He’s strong enough. Take out the arrowhead.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Julia, no, he'll die!" Valentina looked at her like she was crazy.

"Val," Vincenzo spoke softly as he stepped out. "It's her choice."

"But Dad-"

"His life belongs to her, he told us that some time ago. We'll do as she says..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia nodded as Vincenzo accepted her choice. She moved past the both of them, needing to see her husband. He was stretched out on their bed, so incredibly pale. She placed her hand gently on his forehead, bending to press a kiss to his lips as she took a seat at their bedside.

“Love? Can you hear me?” She asked softly, knowing that he was probably worlds away right then and there. “Brogan, I’ve told them to pull the arrowhead from your heart. It’s the only way, love. If you can hear me, I need you to know that I love you with all of my heart and no matter what happens, I’ll always care for Ciaran and Annie.”

She pressed another kiss to his lips, wishing that he would open his eyes and talk to her. She needed reassurance that she was making the right choice. She knew that he trusted her with his life and if she were in the same position he would be making the choice as well.

 

[KieranSoares]

As if God himself had answered her wishes, Brogan's dark eyes, clouded with pain, opened halfway and soon found her after searching almost blindly. "... Ju... lia..." he whispered, having to breathe between syllables as he awoke.

He attempted to sit up, to put on the face of strength that he lacked.

 

[heartofcourage]

“No, love, lie still.” Julia said softly, pushing him back to the sheets gently as she held his hand tightly. “Please don’t move or you could injure yourself further.”

She was quiet for a moment, letting out a long breath as she prepared to tell him the worst. “You might die, love. In fact, it’s a certainty if they don’t remove the barb.”

She brushed her fingers through his thick hair, leaning down to kiss his forehead gently. “I love you though. I know you’ll be alright, but if you aren’t I just want you to know that I will love you until my own heart stops beating. I will tell our children just how much you love them as well, every single day.”

She was trying so hard to be strong, but with her husband at her side she knew that she had the power to be weak as well. She pressed her forehead against his own, her green eyes clouding with tears as she thought about the possibility of losing her dear husband.

“Please come back to me, love. I don’t think I could live without you, Brogan.” She murmured helplessly, the tears dripping down her cheeks to wet his own.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ye'd... have t'kill me yerself... t'get rid of me, darlin'..." Brogan struggled to speak between harsh breaths. He wiped tears from her cheeks with a cold, weak hand and he gave her a smile. "I've 'ad worse... more'n once."

Vincenzo entered then, "Julia... would you like to stay with him or wait outside?"