Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Sir Kell," Ashien knew of him, stepping forward to shake the tall wolf's hand. "It's a pleasure. I've heard all about you from my brother."

Kell offered them all a peaceful smile, not worrying too much as to what Dylan DRA and Ashien thought of him. They knew what he'd done for the Ghis and for Kate. The little cub in Kate's arms wriggled and half-squeaked, half-growled, eyes wide as he looked up at her and then down at his father.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate smiled as Ashien stepped forward and shook Kell's hand. Dylan did the same, trying her best to make the wolf feel welcome there with them. Kate's attention was taken away by the cub that was squirming in her arms. She carefully put Khan back on the ground and she soon noticed two other cubs making them way from the back of the cart followed by Asha.

Asha stalked beside Ballas, licking his head and face with her broad tongue as their cubs played and wrestled on the floor. Kate carefully greeted Asha, scratching the great tiger behind her ears as the room filled with the sound of deep purring.

 

[KieranSoares]

The Ghis family gathered for dinner and Ashien had the cubs stay outside with their parents for the time being. Julia knew they were there, though, and Ashien knew she still didn't approve. Cute or not, Khan was still a tiger who'd grow to be a huge and dangerous beast, and he'd be as troublesome as the twins and Kate as a cub.

Ashien came to greet his brother and sister-in-law, embracing Julia lovingly. "Well, I'm home you two. I see you've managed not to knock the keep down."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No thanks to your thick headed brother." Julia murmured as she hugged her brother-in-law tightly.

She smiled as she looked towards the cradle that had been pulled into the room. Gracie and her sisters were peering inside at the twins who were slumbering beside one another. Their entire family, save Kayla and Christopher, were together under the same roof for the first time in ages. It was a good feeling, she thought to herself.

"Girls, I promise after dinner when the babies are awake you can hold them. Right now, they need their sleep." Julia murmured as she ushered the girls to their seats before she took her own.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien took a seat with his family, the entire Ghis clan seated close together where they dined amongst chatter of what had been going on recently. Ashien knew all about Kate and Kell's foray into Wick and how they'd become knights. He was careful not to mention the end of the war- he'd ask Brogan and Julia about it later- because he knew Ciaran had lost his love. After Lir died, everyone had found out about Ciaran's love for him thanks to the funeral. Ciaran didn't mind it, but then again, no truly malicious soul had come forward to attack him for it. Ciaran confided this information willingly to Dylandra. She was probably his most-trusted aunt. None of the family knew she was from nine-hundred years ahead in time, but they did know that she accepted and supported many ideas that had yet to become acceptable in their time.

Ashien told them how the Prince and Princess of England, John and Elizabeth, were doing. Elizabeth was still in line to become queen thanks to John having been made a knight before his marriage to her, and King Henry adored him. Apparently the King of England planned to rule for another twenty years before stepping down to give Elizabeth the throne.

But after dinner, when it was just Ashien, Julia, and Brogan, their brother brought them ill news from the south. "Julia, Brogan... I know you've just finished one of the worst fights of your lives and you don't want more bad news... but passing through Edinburgh to visit the royal family... we learned that King Gale's two brothers have passed away mysteriously, supposedly of illness. Gale himself is suffering from the same. I'm not saying they're being assassinated, but it's very peculiar to me. I suggest sending some healers. You currently house the finest in Scotland between Valentina and Vincenzo and your Lunar tribesmen."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia looked towards Brogan at that news, her thoughts instantly with their king. She knew he was young and was probably struggling with the loss of his brothers while at the same time trying to save his own skin.

"Of course we will send some healers if he needs them." Julia said with a nod as she took her husband's hand and squeezed it tightly.

As they spoke, a storm brewed outside the keep. Lightening flashed in the distance as thunder rumbled gently across the highlands. As the last remaining members of the family spoke, the door to the keep opened and in walked a cloaked figure holding a bundle in their arms. The figure looked slowly around the room before turning back towards the door and waiting patiently. It wasn't until another figure joined them that they moved to pull back their hood, revealing the Queen of Norway standing there before them.

Kayla's dark eyes surveyed the familiar room and soon landed on her twin brother. Instantly, she passed her slumbering son off to Christopher as she rushed across the room and into his arms.

"We came as soon as he heard about the danger, but it seems we're too late for the fight." She murmured as she hugged him tightly. "It's good to be home."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ashien met Kayla's embrace like he had all his life; hugging her as tightly as her smaller frame allowed. Though the two had parted ways when they turned sixteen, one going to Queen Marianne's court and the other to make a name for himself in England as a cavalry master, they had always been perfectly tuned to each other. If one faced a danger or grief, it would not be long before the other either sent a letter or came in person to make sure their other half was alright. They'd always considered themselves two halves of one person, even since before they were born. The first time Kayla had gone anywhere without Ashien at least in earshot was when she was five years old and Kitty had taken her and Selena to meet Marianne along with a slightly-younger Valentina, and Tamblin had gone to show off his sons (mostly the elder, but he brought all of them) to King Henry. Both had returned with great connections that would further their lives, even if Tamblin had only allowed it for his own personal gain of power and fame that instead, after his death, Brogan received.

Ashien had also been the one to fend off all her suitors, even if it was just by letter. The ones who wouldn't back down received a visit personally from him and his white tiger whom Durban had given to the twins. It'd been decided for the sake of Kayla's reputation of gentleness and grace later that Ballas would go with Ashien.

Just as the twins parted, Ballas was pushing Ashien aside to nuzzle up to Kayla with a soft growl, seeking attention and affection from the woman he'd not seen since three years before when the Darkwood House, as Ashien's little family was called for his being a knight, visited Norway.

"Everyone came out a little worse for wear," Ashien admitted to his sister's words. "But I'm glad to say Brogan has his sight back, and Scotland has two new knights to defend her." Kayla only knew fleeting details, mostly speculation, and had not heard that the assassin Kell had joined with Kate to pacify Wick and become knights who defended Inverness. All she knew was that Scotland now had a well-kept peace with the Erygonians, who'd settled across the isles now.

 

[heartofcourage]

"That is very welcome news." She murmured as she scratched Ballas's ears, turning to look as Christopher came to her side.

The heir to the throne of Norway was sound asleep on his father's shoulder. Kristoff had the look of a Ghis and the gentle disposition of his mother. It was no secret in the family that Kayla had a hard time carrying children to term. It was a miracle that she survived Kristoff's birth nearly seven years ago. She and Christopher had buried two children who they had lost at birth before him and she had lost another shortly after him. Some in Norway said a curse had been laid upon the royal household, but Kayla chose not to listen, focusing instead on raising a healthy and loving son.

She did show her twin, however, as he took her cloak that she was once again expecting. It was early, but she felt good about this one. "Before you ask, I'm fine." It was all she needed to say to her brother as Julia and Brogan came her way as well.

"We came as soon as I got your letter, Brogan. It was delayed a week by a storm, but I didn't expect everything to be solved by the time we arrived." She said as she wrapped him in a tight hug as well. "There wasn't even time to write Ma a letter. I'm sure she's worried sick about me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, t'be honest... we didn't send th'letter til pretty late in th'war. They kept us from callin' fer much help," Brogan told her with a sigh. "But it's alrigh' now.

Young Kristoff, his name a Scandinavian version of his father's own name, awoke slowly as a loud boom of thunder shook the keep. He was a brave lad, already shaping up to be more like a Ghis than a Callaghan. He was small for his age, much like Brogan had been at seven, but if he was anything like his uncles, he'd grow to be a powerhouse. He looked up slowly, and Christopher set him on his feet so he could greet his uncles and aunt sleepily. He was much like Ruben had been, a tad shy, but very responsible and polite. He was exactly the opposite of what many people had expected a privileged prince to be, but so was the way of the Ghis.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla leaned down and murmured something in Kristoff's ear, the little boy's dark eyes turning towards his mother as he mumbled something in Norwegian to her. Kayla had taken to the role of queen like a duck to water, learning about her people and their language within the first two years of her rule. She made certain that her son could speak it fluently as well.

"Hello Aunt Julia, Uncle Brogan, Uncle Ash. It is good to see you again." He finally said as Kayla smiled proudly at her son.

"Now, its time to get you in bed, love." Kayla said softy as she kissed her son's forehead. "And I will see you in the morning."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kommer, gutten min," Christopher spoke softly to his son in Norwegian, leading the boy away with the guidance of a maid to what would be his room while they were there.

Brogan chuckled softly, hugging Kayla and kissing her forehead. "Tha' accent soun's lovely with yer voice, darlin'. But I can 'ear Chris still 'asn't quite lost 'is lilt."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sov godt, kjaerlighet." Kayla called after her son, smiling as the little boy paused only briefly to be picked up in his father's arms yet again before they were on their way.

"And I hope that he never does." Kayla said with a smile as she pressed her forehead against her brother's cheek. "It does me a world of good to see you all so well. I worried when I heard the news that Inverness was under attack."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, a fair bit's 'appened and no one's come out without losin' somethin'... some more'n others," Brogan muttered, glancing at Julia as she knew he meant Ciaran's loss of Lir and Rho's loss of his arm. "But th'good news is tha' Julia'n I 'ave two bonny new girls, Kate's found 'er way, an' Sam an' Rho 'ave figured out what it means t'be responsible." He then met Kayla's eyes. "Kay... promise me y'won't get too upset when y'find out all tha's 'appened." He knew she would be devastated to learn about Rho and Sam and Ciaran. Even though Sam had not necessarily lost anything, he'd been far more deeply affected by his guilt and pain than Rho, who'd taken it in stride with time.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Brogan, I'll tell you what I'm always telling Ashien and Christopher. I'll be just fine." She murmured.

She knew that all of her brothers and sisters worried about her. It had been that way since Olaf. She had proven though that no matter what was thrown in her way, she would come through it with the grace that she had been blessed with. The pain of her lost children, the sorrow of her country's woes...she had taken it all with stride and hidden it well.

"Let's talk about the sad things tomorrow though. I want to meet these precious girls." She said, taking Julia's arm as she looped her other arm through Brogan's. "Lead the way so Aunt Kayla can spoil them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ashelin and Heather," Brogan told her their names with a smile.

"Oh, named after me?" Ashien called after them teasingly.

"You know who she's named after," Brogan chuckled at his younger brother. Julia had only just learned that Ashelin and Ashien had both been named after the woman who'd raised Valentina. She'd been one of Kitty's dearest friends before Valentina's birth, and had passed away not too long after Tamblin's fall.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perfect names." Kayla murmured as she was led into Brogan and Julia's personal rooms.

The twins were slumbering in the cradle as Ciaran watched over the dutifully. Julia stood with Brogan as Kayla first embraced her nephew before she scooped both girls into her arms and dutifully kissed each on the forehead.

"They're perfect." She murmured softly, a look of pure adoration on her face as she looked into their little features. "Absolutely perfect."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hi, Aunt Kay," Ciaran smiled softly to her. That was her first indication that something was terribly wrong. Normally he was practically vibrating with excitement to see her much like his siblings.

"Ciaran, lad. It's gettin' late, why don't y'go t'bed, aye? We can 'andle 'em." Brogan drew his son into a tight embrace and brushing his hair out of his face before sending him off. It was a more tender moment between the two than Julia had seen in several years, since Ciaran had become the forester and quiet scholar when he was a young teen.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia kissed her son goodnight, her hand touching his cheek gently before he went on his way. She looked up at Brogan with a sense of pride as she took his hand and squeezed it tightly, letting him know that she was incredibly proud of the way that he had reconnected with their son. She then turned her attentions back to Kayla as she cooed over the twins.

Kayla watched Ciaran go, knowing that something was wrong. Tomorrow, she would hear all the bad news, but tonight, she simply wanted to relax with her family. She glanced up and noticed Brogan watching her so carefully and closely. She gave him a slight smile and looked back down at the girls.

"I know that look that you're giving me, Brogan." She said softly. "I'll never stop being the baby of this family, will I? Even though Val is younger than I, I'm always going to be the one that you worry over."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hey, now, I didn' even know Val was our sister til I was twenty-four, so yes, yer always gonna be th'baby. Still makes me feel damned old knowin' you've got a lad o' yer own an' another comin', bein' young as y'are."

"She's thirty-two years old, Brogan," Christopher chuckled as he stepped in, pausing to kiss her cheek. "Even if she doesn' look a day older'n eighteen. None of us're so young anymore, but then again, y'are, what, fifty?"

"Just about."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And this is our last chance for a child." Kayla said softly, looking from Christopher to her brother with a strange look in her eyes. "The doctor said no more after this."

Julia felt her heart break at the look in Kayla's eyes. Her sweet sister-in-law had been through so much. She loved children, doted on all of her nieces and nephews, but it had been so hard on her as each little one of her own passed before their time.

"Well, it's time that we pass all that on to our children, huh?" Julia said, hoping to lighten the mood a little. "Besides, Brogan feels especially old now that Annie is expecting. He keeps saying that he's not old enough to be a grandfather yet."

Very few people outside the family knew that Annie was with child. After she had miscarried her first during the war, she and David had quietly kept their second chance a secret until just a few days ago.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not," Brogan nodded stubbornly. "I oughta be at least seventy b'fore th'kids start handin' me grandkids."

"By then Annie will be old enough to be a grandmother," Christopher chuckled and Brogan sighed. He didn't mind his age, it was just the strange stigmas he held about it that he hated. He often commented to Julia that he envied her for being nearly nine years younger than himself. "Alrigh' now, you two, I know yer two chatterboxes, but it's late an' you, Kayla, need yer rest."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose." Kayla said as she handed the twins back to their parents and took Christopher's arm. "The girls are lovely. You should both be proud."

She kissed Julia's cheek and did the same for Brogan, hugging her brother tightly. "I love you, brother." She said against his ear softly.

She had said that often when Cassie died, even if he didn't want to hear it back then. He needed to know how she felt and she always made sure to remind him of the fact.

 

[KieranSoares]

"An' I love you, Kay," he murmured back, as he'd only begun to do again after falling in love with Julia so many years ago. "Go on," he told her just as he had when she was very small, "time fer all little sisters t'go t'bed."

The next morning after breakfast, Brogan brought together his children and his wife to speak with Kayla and Christopher. Ashien and Dylan already knew quite well what all had happened. Kayla saw her oldest nephew still looking broken and sad, but doing his best to smile for his younger brothers, one of whom she and Christopher were silently horrified to see had lost an arm. It didn't bother Rho, but Kayla could see Sam was not the mischievous 'Sneaky Sam' that she remembered and he'd once been called. He seemed to have an old soul now, while Rho, though as much matured, still retained his young heart. Sam almost seemed permanently wounded.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla listened to the sad story with a stoic face. She had learned to hide her worries and woes from the world since becoming a queen, but it still touched her deeply. She looped an arm around Sam, holding her nephew tightly against her side as he seemed to need the most support. She understood how he felt. There was something broken inside that couldn't simply be fixed like the other woes of the world.

"Boys, this family has always had to deal with tragedy. It won't be easy, but you need to know that your family is always here for you." Kayla said softly, looking at her nephews whom she felt deeply for. They were like her own sons, as all of her nieces and nephews were. They knew that if they had worries or problems with their parents, they could always write to her. On occasion, she had brought them to Norway, letting them stay the summers in her castle on the hill.

 

[KieranSoares]

The boys spent as long with their aunt as they could before they all headed off to do whatever they needed to get done for the day, until Kayla was left just with her brother after Christopher and Julia had gone with the children. Brogan silently wrapped Kayla in a tight embrace, though he was always gentle as all her brothers were. "... If I'd known it'd all be so hard, Kay... I would'ave never taken th'throne after Da fell... I'd never 'ave let any o' you take it either..." Even though Kayla had always been the one that her siblings had spoken to about their hurts and feelings, Brogan had never been one to talk about them at all. When she was younger and had gone to him to talk about what she was feeling, he usually sent her to her twin who was likely feeling just the same (as they often shared the same emotions) and he seemed to shy away from talk of emotions thanks to Tamblin. When he'd fallen in love, he'd suddenly opened up, but after Cassie died and Kayla went away to Marianne's court, he didn't open up again until the first time she met Julia. By then she was having her own life and it was too late to sit and just talk to her most emotionally-stunted brother. Thankfully, Julia had repaired all the damage Tamblin had done over the years, the only exceptions being Brogan's stiffness about talking about things that bothered him (but he wouldn't refuse) and his outright inability to trust people until they're gone to great lengths to prove themselves.

KAyla had always known that Brogan had never actually wanted the throne. He'd wanted to be a warrior, to make Tamblin proud so that Tamblin might finally love him the way he'd loved Durban before he lost his mind completely. Kayla had never known the less-insane Tamblin, but Brogan had loved the man and paid dearly for it everyday until he began to hate his father and finally killed him to rid Inverness of his cruelty.