Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Sure I'm scared. But I will be a ruler of my own making. I won't try to be as great as King Brian or Gale. I have to be myself." Kate said as she glanced down at her brother. "And you should try and do the same, brother. You will send yourself to an early grave if you are not careful."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I already got close enough," Rho said with a smile and a motion to his empty sleeve. "It's Sam that'll worry to death first. He's starting to act like Ma does whenever Ciaran runs off to the woods for a long time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You are far too young for that, Rho." Kate said with a laugh. "It's your job right now to make Sam smile. He is far too serious for his own good."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You try making that stick in the mud laugh." Rho knew why his brother was so dour and serious, and it bothered him that Sam still felt so guilty. But he smiled anyway. "He's so caught up in learning how to be a bodyguard that I think he forgot we're finally teenagers. And soon I can tease him about pretty girls."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You are far too young to be thinking about pretty girls." Kate teased her brother, hugging him tightly. "Don't let Ma hear you talking about girls. She might very well send you off to Inverlochly until you're all grown."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Girls are gross," Rho insisted. "But Sam likes that girl who helps her Da, the keep blacksmith. He always gets distracted around her."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, when he decides that he's interested in someone, don't be too hard on him. He will depend on you more than anyone else as you get older." Kate smiled at Rho as they had a very deep conversation about the future.

 

[KieranSoares]

Eventually the conversation turned back to Kate and what she'd be facing in Edinburgh. "I don't get why people are so against a queen and a werewolf as leaders. Men are stupid," Rho declared outright. "Or at least men in Edinburgh are."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's something different, Rho. People do not know how to handle things that are new and usual. In time, once they see that Kell is a good person and I am not simply a simpering little girl, they will come around to the idea of the both of us being together." Kate tried to explain to him, not expecting her little brother to understand.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe some will, but you can count on holdouts, just like at home," Rho commented. Of course there were still the occasional hate crimes committed, but far fewer since the plague that had finally brought the majority of humans to love their werefolk brethren.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You don't have to worry, Rho. I know that my brothers will always be there to help me when times get tough. You and Sam will be fearsom Warriors, I'm sure." Kate said as she kissed her brother's cheek. "Perhaps some of my biggest defenders."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll come to Edinburgh anytime you ask," Rho assured her. They'd even come without reason if she asked.

Once the family had moved on from Glasgow and into the true territory of the Scottish monarchy beyond that of the clan kings, the difference was fairly plain. The clan kings tended to let their land remain wild where people weren't settled, but the area surrounding Edinburgh especially was far more tame though still green and beautiful. Edinburgh itself had always been a bright but somewhat dangerous city for outsiders, namely those who weren't Scottish by birth. But it was still a beacon of opportunity for anyone who could hold their own in the wide world. The arrival of the future High Queen brought droves of people to the streets to see her. Kate was between Julia and Ciaran in the front of the wagon while Kell and Brogan lead the way on horseback with Sam and Rho riding at the rear on their own horses. Ciaran drove, leaving his mother free to advise Kate as she was greeted by all manner of cheers and fanfare from the people that would soon be her subjects.

Brogan and Kell opened a path for them, and they were getting quite a lot of attention themselves. Edinburgh soldiers came out to control the crowds, but that didn't stop some people from tossing flowers into their path as a sign of respect and love for the Ghis. Inverness and Edinburgh had enjoyed a long and loving sisterhood since Brogan's rise to the throne, never faltering even in Brogan's darkest moments or the passing of King Brian or King Gale and even now as Marianne seemed to wither without her family.

Brogan sent Kell back to get Kate, encouraging the two to ride together to show a united front. With a smile, Kell helped Kate down onto his horse and they rode in front of the wagon and behind Brogan who made their path.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia smiled serenely as she watched the scene around them. She instructed Kate to smile and wave to the crowds, never let them see her sad or frightened. She did beautifully and as Kell came and helped her climb onto the back of his horse, she knew that her daughter would be just fine. Glancing towards Ciaran, she reached out and patted his thigh before she turned to pull Ashelin into the seat that her sister had just vacated. Heather was still slumbering in the back of the wagon, peacefully unaware of the chaos that was happening around her.

"Da!" Ashelin called as she saw her father on his handsome warhorse, pointing to the man that she adored.

"Da is busy, little love." Julia said as she leaned over and kissed her forehead. "But you can sit here and wave with Mama and Ciaran."

 

[KieranSoares]

Even over the noise, Brogan knew his daughter's voice and he turned back in his saddle to blow her a kiss with a loving smile. Much as he had a powerful public front, that appearance was never cold or uncaring and he didn't let it get in the way of his love for his family.

Nearer to the castle, soldiers cleared the entry street and the gate was thrown wide open for the family. Awaiting them in the courtyard was Marianne's head of staff, Captain of the royal guard, and her council of lords and her head advisor. The queen herself was still inside, unwilling to come out into public in her current state.

"King Brogan," the Duke of Edinburgh came forward to greet the visiting king first. He was Marianne's son-in-law, named Alfred Helsburg. He was also the current head of the lords' council which made up the majority of Marianne's advisors and leaders across her kingdom. "And Princess Katherine, Sir Kell," he spoke as Kate and Kell approached.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My Lord." Kate said as Kell helped her to dismount so that she could stand in front of Alfred.

She knew when Marianne was not in the courtyard that things must have been bad. She glanced towards her father and then at her Ma as Ciaran pulled the wagon to a halt. She could hear someone crying and, soon enough, Julia was hoisting a sobbing Heather from the back of the wagon to cuddle as the little girl woke from her nap.

"Thank you for the warm welcome." Kate said with a gentle smile on her face as she turned back to the Duke. "I had hoped that Marianne would be well enough to see us."

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan left Kate and Kell's side to help Julia tend to Heather, coming to calm the girl. Lord Alfred sighed somewhat sadly at Kate's words. "I'm afraid the Queen took a turn for the worse a few days ago at the anniversary of our Late King Brian's passing. But she is doing much better today and she's looking forward to seeing you. If I may say so for her sake, milady, you are one of the few things that still give her hope." He offered a smile at that. "We'll leave proper introductions for later. I think it's best you see the Queen right away. She needs to see her dearest friends."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course." Kate said with a nod as she allowed him to lead the way.

Her Ma and Da were tending to Ashelin and Heather, but Kate was led straight away to Marianne. As she was shown to Marianne's private chamber, she was surprised to hear the sound of laughter. As Lord Alfred had mentioned that Marianne's mood was low, she hadn't expected to hear such a joyful noise. As the door was open, Kate paused as she saw a little sandy haired boy sitting in the frail queen's lap. Her cousin Kayla stood there next to an older man who leaned heavily on a cane.

"Kayla?" Kate asked in surprise, her cousin looking towards her with a grin. "What are you doing here?"

"Warwick came for me. He said that Marianne wanted to see Lynndon in the worst way." Kayla murmured softly. "We only arrived this morning."

 

[KieranSoares]

Warwick was quite a bit different from what Kate had been told about his younger days as a fellow caretaker to her grandmother's family. He'd grown gaunt and a bit frail, but he still managed to stand tall and looked solid. His long grey hair was tied back neatly and his eyes were still sharp for a man of his age. Being older than Kitty, he was probably nearing eighty. He remained quiet as Marianne gently returned Lynndon to Kayla and rose to greet Kate with a tight hug.

"Hello, darling," she murmured. "It's wonderful to see you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm very glad that I am here." Kate said softly as Marianne hugged her tightly. "Annie wanted to come as well, but Danny is too young to travel just yet."

She could feel just how thin that Marianne had grown in the time since she had last seen her. However, she still had an inner strength that was to be admired. She wouldn't give up so easily.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I could wait forever to finally meet little Danny," Marianne told her with a soft smile. "But seeing Lynndon and Kayla is just what I needed right now." Then Kate heard someone pause behind her, and she was met with an old comrade of his father and uncles, a veteran Axeman named Aleister. She'd heard of his taking Kayla and Lynndon in, along with hearing people confuse the baker for Kell as his last name was Aleister.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Then I'll leave you to catch up with them while I get settled with my family. When we're in our rooms, I'll bring Ma and Da back to sit down and talk." Kate said softly as she gave Marianne another tight hug, her heart aching for the woman.

"Gamma!" Lynndon called out, his hands reaching out for the woman that he seemed to love deeply from his mother's arms. "Gamma."

 

[KieranSoares]

Marianne let Kate go on her way, and Kell was waiting for her to escort her to her room. Brogan and Julia were just getting settled in before they met with their dear friend.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She doesn't look well." Kate said as she joined her parents in their room. "She is very happy that Kayla came with Lynndon, but she is very frail. Almost like Gran when she has a bad spell."

Julia glanced at Brogan with that news, concern for Marianne clouding her features. "Perhaps we should stay here for a while then. The trip to Chester can be postponed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll play it by ear," Brogan nodded. "But seein' Lynn'll do 'er a lot o' good." He took a seat on the edge of the bed with a sigh. Though he wasn't weak, their journey thus far had taken a lot out of him like it would have to Kitty.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia saw just how tired her husband was and knew that he needed his rest. The twins were with Ciaran, Sam and Rho off with the captain of the guard tending to their horses. It was time for him to take a break.

"Kate, love, can you see if the cook will send up some refreshments? I think your Da and I will rest for a while before we see Marianne."

Kate saw the tired look on her father's features and she nodded. "I'll be back in a little while."