Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I say it because it's true." Julia said, glancing down at Sam on her other side as he continued to watch them both with his serious gaze. "You know, as much as your Da always wanted little girls, he cried the first moment that he held the two of you. He said that he had never seen finer lads in his entire life. I don't think that I've ever seen someone so proud before."

 

[KieranSoares]

Rho was all to glad to share memories with his mother. Sam, on the other hand, listened but had seemed less and less interested in sentiment as time went on, more concerned with his studies and training.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia leaned her head towards the side, pressing her cheek against Sam's hair as he listened quietly but didn't seem comfortable with sharing his feelings with anyone. She knew that he would be in for a rough time as he got older.

"You know why I call you my moon and my stars?" Julia asked the both of them softly. "Because I would give you all of those things if you simply asked for them. After kitten was born, your Ma was in a bad place. So many thoughts racing through my brain. When I found out that I was expecting you two, I was terrified. I didn't know if I could give two more babies what they really needed. Your Da reminded me that no matter what, we would get through it. He was right."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'd do the same for you, Ma," Rho told her, earning a small nod from Sam. "Everything we did in the war was for you and Da."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's what family is. We would do everything for each other." Julia murmured as her twins told her that they had done was for her and Brogan.

 

[KieranSoares]

Rho let his head rest against Julia's shoulder and he closed his eyes, but it wasn't long before Khan came padding in, looking for some attention himself. He was much like Ballas, only more of a troublemaker when he was bored. He sat down at Julia's feet, resting his head on her knee with a little growl to get her attention.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Three trouble makers." Julia said with a smile as she scratched Khan's ears when he placed his chin on her knee. "Not much trouble anymore, however."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's the worst of all of us now," Rho insisted. "Always pestering Chessie."

Khan didn't care at all, enjoying Julia's attention until he slid down and laid at her feet with a deep purr.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think Sam is still the worst of all three of you." Julia said, grinning at Rho before they both glanced to the more serious twin. "Always thinking and pondering. You can never trust a man who thinks so much."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam glanced back at the two of them, and he seemed to take even that quite seriously. "Someone has to."

"It was a joke, Sam," Rho nudged his shoulder with a laugh. "Smile or your face'll get stuck that way, all sour and mean."

 

[heartofcourage]

"One day you'll find a girl that puts a smile on your face and it'll never leave." Julia said as Rho teased his twin, trying to get the dower boy to smile. "Until then, I suppose I can just let you be serious."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won't have time for girls," Sam insisted. "Rho can be the romancer if he wants to."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll have to see, love." Julia said with a smile as Sam insisted that Rho could handle all of the romance. "You might change your mind about all of that one day."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yeah, we'll see," Sam muttered before leaving her side to get back to his training. Brogan often commented how like a young Durban the boy was, expecting everything of himself and nothing of anyone else.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know, I expect you to be the one to help Sam lighten up. He takes too much too seriously." Julia said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Rho sighed, shaking his head. "I try, Ma. But he insists on working so hard and never sitting still. He hardly gets a full night's sleep anymore, but he never shows how tired and sad he is. I guess i just don't get it... there's no reason to make himself miserable like Da and our aunts and uncles used to be. Things are so much better now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He feels guilty about your arm. Something so tragic will stay with him for the rest of his life." Julia murmured as Rho confessed just how haunted his brother was. "Probably much longer than it will stay with you, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It was never his fault." Rho sighed and rested his head against Julia's shoulder. "He'll be happy someday... I just wish he didn't have to be miserable now."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We have to live with out choices sometimes. You both made a choice that changed both of you forever. You'll never have two arms again but you'll learn to adapt. Sam will have to live with the guilt of watching his brother lose his limb and almost his life." Julia said as she rested her head against Rho.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's just not fair to him that he should feel worse about it than me." Rho looked up at her sadly. "It's like how Uncle Durban feels about Uncle Boar ruining his knees, and the things that happened to everyone else in that war. He and Da still feel so guilty about it all, especially Durban, but it's not their fault at all."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Spoken like a true statesman." Julia said with a proud smile on her lips and a chuckle. "You will make a great king one day, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Why'd Da pick me?" Rho asked after a long moment. "Sam's really selfless and responsible. Why not him?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Because he sees something in you that he appreciates. Sam would work himself into an early grave. He would never stop to enjoy life if he were king." Julia explained.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's kind of strange, though. There aren't a lot of Kings and Queens out there who'd give their firstborn son a choice, much less their second and third. I guess I don't know why Da chose me at all. I'm not sure I can be what he wants or what the people need. They might think he's wrong for not making Ciaran become king, or choosing a son with one arm. I'm really worried they'll never like me like you and Da."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Each ruler must find their own way, Rho. Be kind and listen, but also be firm in your beliefs." Julia said, knowing that her son was struggling to understand what was happening with his ascent to the throne. "You can prove to be a trustworthy and people will be loyal to you for the rest of your days."