Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I know." Kate said softly as she wrapped her cousin in a tight hug. "And I wish he didn't either. They should know that I'm alright. No matter who I turn out like, I'm alright."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I thought th'same about my Ma an' Da, but when I had m' little girls an' m'son, I finally understood. Doesn't matter if yer kids'll be okay, ye'll worry about 'em."

Ruben sat back down, and it was a half-hour later that he sent her back to Brogan.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Kate entered the room again, it was quiet. The fire was burning low, her little brother's huddled against her mother as they dozed on the sofa. Rho had his arm wrapped around her waist while Sam snuggled against her side as they did when they were little. She let out a soft sigh as she made her way towards the bed and sat on the side, taking her father's hand in hers again.

"Da? I'm back." She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan only knew she was there once she touched him, he was so lost in his mind that he didn't hear her. He lifted his head slightly, but she could see that when he tried to look up at her, he couldn't focus. "Hiya, darlin'," he whispered softly so not to disturb the others. "Y'alright? I don' remember much righ' now." Probably the effect of pain-killing herbs.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate felt her heart squeeze tightly as she saw her father try to focus on her, but failing. She let out a little sigh and reached out to touch his cheek before she stretched out in bed next to him, snuggling up against his side for warmth.

"I'm alright, Da." She said softly. "I'm thankful you were there to help, but I'm sorry that you got so hurt."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don' be sorry fer somethin' tha' ain't yer fault." Brogan leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Things 'appen... ne'er expected, ne'er planned for but they 'appen. No matter what... I'm proud o' you. Yer showin' the makings of a Queen, love. Yer showin' the Ghis blood in ya. Couldn'a made an' ol' man prouder... nor more worried."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm just happy you're still here to worry about me, Da." Kate said softly, Ruben's words reminding her that she needed to be more grateful towards her family. "You and Ma both. There are some people my age who don't have both their parents."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Sweet lass..." Brogan whispered, letting his unfocused eyes close. "Ye've always been such a good girl. E'en when y'get up t'trouble." He wrapped his arm around her and tried to relax. "Stay 'ere with me, love... get some rest..." His words trailed off as he finally drifted into a light sleep, pain fading into darkness and slumber.

 

[heartofcourage]

The royal family slumbered that evening, healing from a traumatic day. Julia woke slowly, sighing as she felt her sons holding her tight and spotting her daughter snuggled with Brogan. Glancing to the side, she smiled to see Ciaran slumbering in the chair beside her. Reaching out, she gently touched his cheek, waking him gently.

"Are you alright, my heart?" She asked him softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran was half-curled up in the chair, and Lir- as most werewolves preferred the floor to the furniture- was sitting on the floor in front of him with his head in Ciaran's lap, asleep. Ciaran lifted his head, his hand trailing as if by habit to Lir's head and broad neck, seeking the comfort of his soft fur.

"I'm okay as I'm going to be, Ma," Ciaran answered quietly, running his fingers back through his hair. Lir shifted under his hand and Ciaran looked down at him as he half-woke. Ciaran drew him into the oversized chair and Lir slid behind him so Ciaran could lay against him. Lir fell fast asleep once more with his arms around Ciaran's waist.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia smiled at the both of them, proud that they felt comfortable enough to express themselves in the open after they had both come out. She knew that he was stressed by the situation. They all were. She'd been surprised to see just how much Rho and Sam had been effected, especially after they demanded to sleep with her that night.

"Love, I need you to take care of your brothers today." She said softly. "I have things to do with the troops while your Da is healing. I'll be taking Kate with me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think you might have quite a time getting Kate away from Da... or getting Da to let her go."

Ciaran laid his head back against Lir's shoulder. "I'll keep Sam and Rho occupied, though, no worries."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you, my heart. I can always count on you." Julia said softly as she reached over and touched her son's cheek gently. "I love you very much, Ciaran. You make me proud to be your mother."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran smiled and took her hand to kiss it as he'd learned to do when she'd taught him to be such a gentleman. "I love you too, Ma." He closed his eyes again, still incredibly tired.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia smiled at her son as everyone settled back down to sleep once more. Just after dawn, she awake with a long sigh. Gently shaking Sam and Rho awake, she kissed each of their brows and told them to go get washed up and she'd meet them for breakfast. Next, she woke Lir and Ciaran, kissing each on the cheek as she told them the same. Then she made her way to the bed, looking down at the sleeping Kate.

"Kitten." Julia said softly, shaking her daughter's shoulder until those bright green eyes opened. "It's time to get up, love. We need to let your Da get his rest."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm restin' jus' fine..." Brogan grunted. She'd had no sign that he was awake before. He drew Kate closer to kiss her cheek before he lifted his arm from her to let her go if she chose.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate let out a sigh as she looked between her parents. She didn't want to upset her Ma but she didn't want to let her Da out of her sights. She pressed her lips against her Da's cheek and stood with a stretch to hug her mother.

"I want to stay with Da today. Just to make sure he's alright." Kate confessed.

"Alright, kitten." Julia said softly, kissing her brow. "Perhaps you could read from your Greek for him?"

Kate bit we tongue before she gave her Ma a little smile. "Of course, Ma."

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan chuckled almost inaudibly at that. Kate knew he wouldn't make her do that. He preferred Latin anyway, since he was teaching her Italian. "Y'be careful, love," he spoke to Julia. "'Cause if you get 'urt, I'm goin' back out there."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I trust Kate to keep you in place today, love." Julia said softly, leaning down to kiss her husband gently. "And you know I'd worry if you got out of bed."

Once last kiss and Julia took her daughter's hand, leading her from the room to join the others for breakfast.

 

[KieranSoares]

The others awaited Julia as they always did, the mealtime crowd always being the warriors and staff who lived in the Keep or within its nearby buildings such as the forge, stables, and whatnot.

Ciaran was seated with Lir, Sam, and Rho on the long royals' table, and Kitty and Vincenzo were seated at their own preferred table with Val, Theo, and the new addition of Dazu whom Kitty had taken a shine to instantly. He proved to be entirely civilized and very intelligent, he simply spoke very little English. Now that he was unafraid, he fit right in and a few Lunars talked with him as he could speak Erygonian and Lunar. They'd learned he was hardly nineteen despite his hardened exterior, and he adored music and hunting. He didn't part with much personal information beyond that, but the Lunars, as one told Julia over breakfast, believed he may have been taken from a Calm tribe and forced to fight for the cannibals.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was deep in though throughout the meal, listening to anything that was said to her, but not saying much. When everyone had their fill and the dishes were taken from the table, she called Vincenzo and Kitty into a private meeting in her secluded room behind the great hall.

"I have been thinking and I think it would be best to move all the women and children, wounded and elderly to Inverlochly or Aberdeen. We can't risk anyone getting hurt." She said softly, her thoughts tumbling out to the people that she trusted so much. "Brogan included. Ciaran and Lir can care for him. Kate will have to care for Sam and Rho."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know Brogan won't go," Kitty sighed quietly. Now nearly seventy, she was slowing down quite a lot, but never as much as she had when she was wasting away years before. Vincenzo had steadily, though slightly declined, but he let himself relax.

"He won't go, nor will the children. You know they'll fight to stay together," Vincenzo nodded in agreement with Kitty. "Especially Kate and the twins. And Lir will want to stay to fight with his people, Ciaran won't go without him."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If they break the gate, which I have faith they won't, there will be no stopping them." Julia said softly, knowing that they were right. "And I'm not going to have my children or my husband put in any danger. Boar and Emma could lead them."

Boar hadn't fought since the last war had practically robbed him of the use of his legs. He was still a strong and intimidating man, but he had slowed down considerably. He was still and excellent horseman, just as his sons were. Little Kayla was the spitting image of her mother with a sweet and considerate nature.

"By God, it I have to strap them all to a wagon myself, I will." Julia said in a passionate voice, her eyes showing that she was deadly serious.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Good luck with that, my darling..." Vincenzo shook his head. "Because we've decided we're not going either." As he said this, Kitty squeezed his hand lightly. "Val will need my help. Sam and Rho will need Kitty. Either we all go, or no one goes. You know that." It had been that way since the end of the last war.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was stunned that her inlaws were staying behind. SHe would have thought that they would be the ones that would most definitely go. She didn't want to think that any of them could be injured in this battle. Letting out a long sigh, Julia nodded and stepped forward to embrace them both tightly.

"You have both been more to me than my own parents ever were." She murmured to them softly. "And I care for your safety. If you wish to stay, I can't make you go."