Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I won't tell you that you're wrong in wanting justice for the death of your husband, but I can tell you that Kell did not commit the crimes that he just admitted to. He was with our keep's cook during the time that they took place."

Julia let out a long breath and looked towards Brogan, knowing that she was alone in this moment. "Suara, as a mother you must know how hard it is to keep your children on the straight and narrow path. Katherine has been my greatest enigma. Even though I wish that I could keep her a little girl forever, I can't deny the fact that she has fallen in love with Kell and he with her. I would not let my daughter associate with a man that was anything less than honorable."

"You must tell me, as leader of this great tribe, what it will take to bring peace. We already lay all the help you need at your feet to solve this mystery of what happened to your husband as well as your tribe members. I just...I need to know how this ends."



Kate was speechless as she saw her brother and she instantly started to cry as well. She wrapped him in a tight hug, pressing her cheek against his as he insisted that he needed to tell them who had done this. She wouldn't let him go and she knew that Kreston would not let them anywhere near.

"Ruben. I need you to tell them what Ciaran knows."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I cannot take your word as truth just because you insist he is honest. Why would he be so foolish as to take the blame if it was not guilt that plagued him for betraying his own kind?" Suara demanded with a growl.

"Because 'e loves 'er, an' 'e loves us." Brogan lifted his head, only wishing he could look the widow in the eye to show her how serious he was. "He took th' blame fer our daughter an' fer us because we're his family now. We took 'im in an' Julia an' I treat 'I'm like a son."

"... Regardless, you all must pay for this evil. Whether he is the killer or not, he will die for being the friend of our enemies. And you two will not return home. I will end this now, if only for Tidus' sake." With that, Brogan drew Julia to her feet again, brandishing his claymore as warriors closed in around them. It had been the widow's plan all along. But just as she was about to speak to give the order, a lone howl caused a pause and silence to fall over the camp and Inverness.


At the same time, Ciaran practically clung to his sister and looked to Ruben. "Morimm. The wolf who attacked us, the Erygonians called him Morimm. He attacked us and killed them. He said if Tidus wouldn't avenge Tidannon, he would..."

Ruben turned and lifted his head as his ears folded back, letting out a long, lonesome howl that made a stillness settle over the area unlike Kate and Ciaran had ever felt.


Suara's ears slowly folded back as Ruben's message registered with her wolf senses and tears filled her old, tired eyes. "Morimm..." she whispered. Julia had heard the name from Kell, who explained that Morimm was Tidannon's brother and had gone insane, mentioning him in his recounting of the meeting with Tidus. The warriors looked to Suara for what to do, but she crumbled in tears to her knees.

Brogan wrapped an arm around Julia and lowered his blade, knowing just from Suara's mention of Morimm that they were out of danger as fast as they'd fallen into it. Two warriors remained to comfort their leader, while the others went to find Morimm. Julia and Brogan were safely escorted back to their own men, and a howl finally sounded back to Ruben that they'd captured Morimm, that Suara now knew the truth.

Ciaran drew Kate out to join their parents as Kell was brought up and Suara emerged slowly. She silently released Kell from his bonds and she pressed a kiss of apology to his forehead before letting him free. But Kell didn't leave her right away. He knelt before her, speaking softly in their native tongue and offering his deepest apologies. The poor woman had lost a large part of her family between two deaths and one betrayal. The knowledge Morimm had killed his own father to kick off the war for revenge was the most painful thing Suara had ever faced. She sent Kell back to the Ghis, and slowly her people retreated back into their camps. It would be a while before Suara would be in any kind of condition to talk to the Ghis and discuss the peace her husband had wanted. Until then, neither side would bother the other. If anything, they'd work in harmony to survive a lean winter.

Kell came back to Julia and Brogan and Kate, but the one he faced first was Ciaran. Ruben had howled across not only the news of Morimm's betrayal, but Lir's death too. This would be the first Julia and Brogan heard of it as Kell looked at the wounded, heartbroken young man. "Ciaran... I'm so sorry about Lir..."

Ciaran couldn't look anyone in the eye, and he accepted Kell's offered embrace of comfort as he broke down once more, quietly sobbing his broken heart out. Brogan squeezed Julia's hand and she saw tears fill his eyes. For all he'd been unable to understand about the love between the two young men, he'd come to see Lir as a son, and the Evelia family as part of their own clan. Now, the love that Ciaran had tried so hard to hold onto despite the fear of the world condemning them for it was gone, and he felt more alone than he'd ever felt in his life.

"Ma..." Ciaran whispered, coming to seek the comfort of the woman he loved most. He also felt a deep fear from nearly having lost his sister and his parents. He'd nearly been orphaned, and only by his waking just in time and being able to leave Lir's lifeless side had he been able to save them by letting the truth be known.

Brogan wrapped his arms around his son as Ciaran clung to his mother. Brogan had no idea what to say, but really, no one did.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia gasped as Suara threatened to end this now and kill them both and she clung to Brogan as he pulled her to her feet and brandished his claymore in her defense. She pressed her cheek against his chest, her eyes clenching shut as her hand clenched her belly, preparing for the blow that would finally end her life.

It never came as a lone howl sounded across the highlands and everything turned still around them. She recognized Ruben's call and in that moment, she knew that something terrible had happened to Lir. Everything happened so fast as they were released from the Erygonians and she found herself wrapped up in her son's sorrow filled and frightened embrace.

"My heart..." Julia murmured as she held her first born close, her cheek pressed against his dark hair as he shook like a leaf. "It's alright, Ciaran. Everything is going to be alright."

She kissed his forehead as Brogan wrapped them both in his tight embrace. Kate soon joined them, her arms wrapping so tightly around her father's waist as she clung to the man that had protected her so many times in the past. Annie soon joined them as well, pulling herself from the crowd and hugging her brother and parents.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ciaran's agonized sobs quieted, but did not end as his family surrounded him and offered up all the comfort they could in that moment, and after a long while, Brogan wrapped an arm around Kate's waist and one about Ciaran's shoulders just as David came to Annie's side. "Alright, loves... Let's get 'ome. We all need rest, an' we all need some time t'think. Nothin's goin' t'happen with th'Erygonians fer a while... I think it's safe t'say we're done at least fer now."

Despite his blindness, Brogan took over command of his family and his people once more, knowing that Julia needed to focus on Ciaran at the moment. He sent them back to the Keep, but he held Kate and Kell back a moment longer to hug them both tightly. "Kate... as much as I hate yer goin' out an' puttin' yerself in danger... I'm proud o' you fer always workin' so hard t'keep everyone safe... An' Kell... thank you fer keepin' my little girl safe... I thought I was goin' t'lose 'er fer sure. Between th'two o' you, Inverness owes ya more than I can say. If y'hadn't gone out, Ciaran wouldn' 'ave 'ad th'time t'get out 'ere an' let them know th'truth."

As Brogan let them go, Kell took Kate's hand, and Brogan ushered them back toward home. "Take care o' her..." he muttered to Kell, and the golden-eyed wolf nodded before his attention was placed entirely upon Kate. He knew it was quite possible she'd be furious with him and she may not even want to look at him. But with or without Brogan's request, he'd take care of her as best he could. Brogan remained behind a while longer to see that his men all got back inside safely, and to make sure the Erygonians didn't need anything. He sent over the gifts and food Chessie had put together before he too returned to the Keep with the guidance of Kreston.

 

[heartofcourage]

"What you did was stupid, Kell." Kate said as she wrapped him in a tight embrace. "But I'm happy you're alright."


Julia led Ciaran into her bedchamber, leaving Annie to tend to two inquisitive twins who were wondering why their brother was so sad. Gently she sat him down on the edge of the bed, her arm never leaving his shoulders as she gently rocke him back and forth.

"This pain is never going to go away, but it will dull over time. You'll miss him but don't lose yourself completely to grief, my heart. Lir wouldn't want that." She said quietly as she kissed his cheek. "When it's safe again, you can go and spend time in the woods. I think you'll find you're close to him there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It wasn't stupid... I told you before that I wasn't ready to let anyone fall with me if I failed. Especially not you," Kell murmured as his arms wrapped around her securely. "I think... both sides understand each other now... and just maybe, Lir and Tidus didn't die in vain. I hope not..." With the real traitor set to be removed from the Erygonians' midst, things would calm. Everyone knew the deaths were his fault alone, and that Brogan and Julia would not hold Morimm's people responsible for his vengeful actions. Kell lifted Kate's gaze to his own and gave her a soft smile, but he shook his head. "You're the most stubborn person I've ever met. But I'm glad I had you with me and you wouldn't leave without me."


Ciaran simply let his head lay against his mother's shoulder as he had no tears left to cry. In a hoarse whisper, he asked her much like Brogan had in years of war past, "... What am I going to tell his family...?" He loved Oless and Danu dearly and they loved him, but he seemed sure that they would hate him as Lir had died defending him. Then, he looked up at her with his teary red eyes full of a pain she'd only ever seen in the eyes of Brogan and widows. "How did Da ever make it through this...?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"You tell them the truth, love. He died protecting the one that he loved most of all. It was honorable and I know you would have done the same for him." She said softly, her fingers traveling through his thick dark hair in a soothing manner. "Your Da has your kind heart, Ciaran. Age and wisdom don't make things better. He understands that this is the way the world is and he accepts that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"... But why does it have to be this way...?" He whispered. It was not directed toward her at all, more toward himself, trying to understand what higher power could possibly wish such pain upon people who tried so hard to be good and honest. The door opened up slowly and Ciaran lifted his head to see his father. If anyone understood what Ciaran was feeling, it was the very man he felt he had so little in common with. Brogan stepped in and opened his arms to his eldest son, and Ciaran gladly came to him, seeking his guidance through a tragedy they shared. It might've been more than twenty years since Cassie's death, but seeing his son like this brought back all the memories for Brogan. He would need them, to steer Ciaran away from the path Brogan had chosen, pushing everyone away and putting war at the forefront of his mind.

Brogan kissed his son's forehead, muttering softly that he'd informed Lir's parents, Ciaran nodded slowly and looked up at his father, "Thanks, Da... but maybe I should go see them..."

"Alright. But don' go alone." Brogan told him softly. "I'll stay with yer Ma, she's 'ad enough fer one day, jus' like we all 'ave." Letting his son go, knowing he needed to get things in order for himself, Brogan listened to his slow steps as he made his way away to find his dear Aunt Valentina to ask her to go with him. Brogan came to Julia's side and sat down with a long sigh.

"I've ne'er been more conflicted about whether I should be happy 'r sad... I'm fairly certain this war's over, it's just a matter o' sortin' out where th'Erygonians'll go. But... we lost a lad who was becomin' a son t'us, an' my eldest boy's feelin' a pain I would never wish on anyone..." Julia could see he was in some kind of pain, and not just emotional. She'd felt it before too, in the moment they'd thought Suara would have them killed, she'd felt Brogan stagger as he rose to defend her. It was certainly his heart, just as Valentina worried it was.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We should go to Inverlochly to rest." She said softly as she took his hand and squeezed it. "Val is worried about you and your heart. I don't want you to die before your time, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

"A trip like that'll be too 'ard on you durin' th'rains an' th'melting snow... maybe after the baby comes, but not til then." Brogan wrapped his arm about her shoulders. "An' honestly, at this point, it'd probably be too 'ard on me too... I'm just glad this is all over. It's gonna be a big weight off all our shoulders."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia said nothing as she pulled him to lie back on the bed with her, his strong form pressed against her back and their hands cradling her swollen belly. Her worries were just beginning. She didn't know if this child would make it into the world and if she would live long enough to see that happen. She had to trust that the healers of Inverness were a good as she thought they were.

 

[KieranSoares]

Things fell quiet, and it was a couple days before they buried Lir as a Ghis family member, given a proper Lunar burial. Families of the Erygonians who'd been killed by Morimm came to attend and offer their apologies for having suspected Lir and Ciaran of treachery. Oless and Danu were at the forefront of the ceremony with Ciaran and the Ghis. Poor little Rho and Sam who'd loved Lir so dearly were trying to be strong, standing with Ciaran and Danu and Oless. Danu drew the three boys close, silent but offering what comfort she could. Lir was her only child, and she still couldn't function properly since his death. She wept, but only because she was so confused and didn't know how her sweet boy could die so suddenly. She couldn't register the deep pain. Oless was similar, but he hadn't spoken a word and he looked just as lost. But as Lir was lowered gently into his grave, Danu finally broke and crumbled to her knees, hugging the three boys tightly as her husband knelt beside her with his arms about her. Her agonized sobs were quiet, almost inaudible, but everyone knew she would never be the same, nor would anyone close to Lir.

And just as they prepared to start the last rites and lit a bonfire, a small procession of Erygonians arrived, headed by a black-cloaked Suara. She came and laid a beautifully-painted bone bracelet into the grave after receiving a nod of permission from Oless, and her fellow Erygonians placed flowers and lovely painted beads and stones in as well. Suara was paying her respect in return to the Invernessians and Lunars for coming to honor her husband and the three fallen Erygonians, and it was the final sign that assured them that she was not about to start another fight.

Danu rose from the boys to come to Suara, speaking softly to her in Erygonian, and the two women embraced before Suara came to kiss Ciaran's forehead in silent apology for his loss to her own son. Lir's grave was filled in after symbols of the elements were placed into the grave and everyone who wanted to had laid a flower or gift in with him. Kreston, being a revered Lunar Elder and a General to the Ghis, had been charged with the final sendoff, and he, Casso, Dazu, and Oless all filled in the grave after Ciaran and Danu and the twins cast in handfuls of earth. As the earth was finally shifted back into place there on the edge of the forest, the bonfire was tended by Kreston whose duty it was to watch it with the family until it died, not unlike Erygonian funeral pyres. Suara and her last remaining child, her youngest in his late twenties named Oscon, remained with Danu and Oless and Ciaran. Little Rho and Sam stayed as well, and so would Kell and Casso and Dazu.

The Evelia family didn't expect the Ghis to remain, but welcomed them to do so if they wished. A small banquet would be held by the Lunars afterward to thank the fallen for their sacrifices, as well as to welcome peace at last and pray for a kind winter's end and a swift spring.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia insisted that the family join in the feast despite the fact that she was physically exhausted. I was their duty to help the family through two tragic time. The meal was subdued but the air around them felt light. Julia did her best to comfort the grieving parents but it was difficult. She didn't know their pain and had little experience with it save the loss of Ciaran so long ago.

It was halfway through the meal when Annie showed up with David. She held the leather lead of a jaunty and active colt. His coat was dark as midnight with a white blaze down his nose. He was freshly weened from his mother and he bucked and pranced with spirit as she led him.

"Danu." She called to the woman that she had met and bonded with over their love of horses. "I bring you a gift. I know that he can't replace your son, but I have hope that he can at least help you ease your pain. I named him Lir."

 

[KieranSoares]

Danu looked at Annie as if struck that she would give something so precious as a young colt. Danu knew well that Annie's horses were of the finest breeding that Scotland had to offer, and that made the colt mean even more with all the work put into his bloodline. Danu couldn't speak, she could only come forward to hug Annie tightly, sniffling quietly. And when she looked to the colt, she reached out to take his head in her hands, and he paused in his spirited pawing about at meet her eyes. Danu had that effect on horses, but the colt seemed to especially like her immediately.

"He's beautiful," she finally whispered. "Thank you, Annie my dear..."

Beside Annie, David had brought everything the colt might need. Even if Danu already had many of the tools she needed, there was certainly no harm in offering new extras. As Danu let herself focus on the young horse rather than her pain, Ciaran came to Annie. "Thank you..." he murmured. "She needs something good to focus on..." He hugged his sister tightly, giving Danu the best smile he could when she looked at him, leaning over to kiss his forehead.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie grinned as she watched Danu focus on Ciaran, doting on the boy that had been like her son. She was about to speak when she heard a loud gasp and glanced towards her mother. Julia had sprang to her feet, a look of concern on her features as water started to pool around her feet.

"I think the babies are coming." She said softly, her voice shaking.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was Casso who picked Julia up and Kreston guided Brogan behind him. Thanks to the end of the war, the tribal healers were ready to help Valentina with her, but Valentina came to the realization that she was out of her league and things were happening far too fast. She ended up monitoring Julia's health instead while the skilled healers who were much more attuned to what the babies and Julia needed. They knew upon looking at her that she was carrying twins.

The first came quickly and though she wasn't very loud, she cried and was healthy and didn't need to be worried about too much. It was the second that was difficult. The first was given to Valentina and the tribal healers took over completely. One knelt behind Julia as she lay in the tub, laying a hand at the base of her throat to keep her breathing and heartbeat in check. It was all more painful than any of her children's births had been before, and the longer it took for the second to be born, the more likely it was that the baby could be stillborn. And the healers became more and more worried, but more silent and focused as Julia lost blood and grew weaker.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia tried her best to not scream in pain with each wrenching contraction. She was exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally. The first baby had been whisked away immediately, but like Sam and Rho she cried with a healthy tone. The second baby was the one that causes the problems.

"I cant't..."Julia murmured as the healers tried to encourage her. "I have nothing left."

 

[KieranSoares]

The four healers looked to one another, and then to the most senior. He knelt beside Julia, bringing her to look at him. "Listen closely, dear. We know a way to get the baby out... but you've already lost more blood than you should have. If you'll give us permission, we can help, but it's risky." So in the end, saving the baby could mean her life if anything turned for the worst.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia took a moment to think about that. She thought about the little girl that was now screaming at the top of her lungs in the other room. She thought about her husband who was pacing the length of their room waiting for news. She thought about her other children who were anxiously waiting for news. Then, she looked at the healer and nodded, giving her consent.

 

[KieranSoares]

The healers quickly gathered all they needed, and the senior healer brought Julia a mash of herbs. The moment she'd downed them, her pain faded and she was in a haze. All she would be aware of was the healers checking her breathing and pulse every minute or so, and finally after she knew not how long, she heard a faint cry. Strong arms lifted her soon from the tub and she couldn't make out the panicked words around her before everything went black.

In the next room, Brogan was practically trembling with fear, holding the first of the twins in his arms. As the second, much more frail and weak twin was brought out, Broan gave the little girl to Annie beside him and he rose. The healer placed the second girl in David's arms and faced Brogan.

"How is she...?"

"... She's lost a dangerous amount of blood, sir, and she's weak and very, very sick... I'll be honest with you, King Brogan... I don't know if she's going to make it."

That was the last thing the cracking Scotsman heard before he collapsed, just barely kept from hitting the floor by a quick catch from Kell. Valentina was at his side immediately, laying him on his side. "Kate, run and get me my herb satchel!" Between Kell and Casso, Brogan was carried to his own room. He'd finally broken, and a full-on heart attack had laid him low. Whether he and Julia would survive remained to be seen.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia felt like she was floating. It was like stepping through a thick highland fog as she moved along. She only stopped when she came upon a familiar figure hunched over a campfire.

"Ciaran?" Julia asked in a confused voice as the man that she had lost so long ago turned to face her. "But...you died..."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I did," the familiar, rich, and warm voice reached her as he stood, still in his light armour and cloak and with his battleaxe at his side. "... I'm glad things worked out with Brogan. 'E promised he'd make things right with ya, but I was scared 'e wouldn't."

He came to hug her tightly, kissing her cheek. "Ye've got some beautiful children, love... an' I'm honored y'named yer boy after me... I missed ya, but why're ya here so soon? It ain' yer time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think I died." She whispered in a sorrow filled voice. "It was either me or my daughter and I couldn't let her die."

She let out a shaking breath as she pulled back to look at him. Genty she touched his cheek before she pressed her lips against his briefly. "I have to get back home."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You might 'ave... but there ain' no way yer stayin'... ye've got years left... ye've got grandchildren t'see. Maybe even great-grandchildren one day. An' ye've got two pretty girls t'meet. Yer husband needs ya t'be okay... 'r else he won't be." Ciaran didn't need to say it for Julia to know Brogan had finally succumbed to a heart attack. It was expected, to say the least. Valentina had planned extensively for it.

"I can' send y'back... yer healers 'ave t'bring ya back. Shouldn't be long. But I want ya t'tell young Ciaran when y'get back... Lir's okay. I met 'im when 'e came, an' 'e's gonna be jus' fine with 'is ancestors an' family 'ere... An' Arland wants ya t'know 'e's lookin' out fer Kate. 'E's been lookin' after her since she was born, tryin' t'make amends fer what 'e's done."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I miss you so much." Julia said as Ciaran told her that she was going back. "Every single day I think about you."

She had the love of her life in Brogan, but she missed Ciaran's friendship intensely. He made her smile and want to live in Inverness during those dark early days. She had never gotten the chance to show him just how much that meant to her.