Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"You secretly like a fancy party." Kate said with a small grin as he brushed her red hair back from her face. "I saw the dress you bought Aunt Emma. I'm sure that she scolded you for days for spending so much money on it."

She had seen the dress at Justin's shop when she had gone to be fitted for a few things of her own. She knew that her uncle adored his wife and loved to surprise her with things, even if Emma was upset with him afterwards.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I like seein' yer aunt light up a room." Boar sighed and sat back with his arms supporting him. "She likes t'think she's old an' no looker anymore. I like t'prove she's wrong."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's still the most beautiful woman in Inverness." Kate said as they both glanced towards Emma as she tended to Lucy, rocking her beloved granddaughter as she slumbered while Leon and Dazu ate their lunch. "And she loved you more than you know."

Kate gave him a grin as he watched his family intently, always alert and always ready for something to happen. It was the same of all of her aunts and uncles. They were all ready for danger.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Same goes fer yer Wolf, y'know. Crazy lad, followin' you blindly whether yer walkin' into heaven 'r hell. You look after 'im. Ye'll never find another like 'im."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I never want to have to find another. He's my heart and soul." Kate said honestly as she glanced over towards Kell, smiling as she saw him sitting with her mother and talking quietly about something with Julia. "He loves me so much."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He loves all of us," Boar murmured in a moment of softness and contemplation. "A man who's lost everythin' loves more fiercely than any other."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wish no one had to go through that kind of pain but it's made him who he is today." Kate said softly as she leaned her head against her uncle's shoulder. "Same with you, Uncle Boar. I wish Eli were still here if only to see how happy Lucy is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think he knows. No' sure what afterlife I believe in... But Eli's somewhere good, lookin' after Lucy. Tha's enough t'help me sleep a' night."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Do you think I'll be alright in Edinburgh?" Kate asked softly, still so uncertain about everything that was happening. "When I was little I used to think that I wanted adventure, but now... All I want is to be at home with my family."

She was quiet for a long moment before she shook her head softly. "But my family has changed now. It's Kell and I. I have to remember that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kate. You aren' separate from our family jus' fer marryin'. Ye'll always be a Ghis. Yer future family'll be Ghis too. Kell is a Ghis. Distance an' changes o' name don' change who your clan is. An' because yer a Ghis, ye'll be jus' fine wherever you are."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess so. It still doesn't make this ache in my heart stop." Kate murmured softly as he tried to make her feel better.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It never will." Boar pulled her tightly against his side. "Maybe talk t'Durban. He knows better'n anyone what it's like t'have t'make his life far from home."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You all will just have to move to Edinburgh. It's settled." Kate said with a smile as her uncle pulled her against his side in a tight hug.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah. City life ain' fer us. Yer Ma's probably th' least out o' place there." He chuckled and kissed her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate gave a smile at that as he kissed her cheek and she slowly started to relax. On the road that afternoon, she stayed next to her father, talking to him about her worries and concerns as if that might help. He was a silent listener and he had always given her good advice in the past.

 

[KieranSoares]

As the days went on and Kate's family each offered different perspectives and advice and reassurance, Edinburgh drew closer. On the final approach, Brogan brought Kate and Kell to the front of the group. They'd all brought some fairly nice traveling clothes for their arrival to make a good impression, and it would be Kate, Kell, Julia, and Brogan who led the way in.

Edinburgh was a walled city, but it had outer towns and villages surrounding. As the Ghis Clan approached the gates, it seemed someone was waiting for them. On horseback, one of Kate's generals rode out in his armor with a group of finely armored soldiers. "Lady Katherine!" He called, pulling his steed to a halt before her and bowing his head after taking his helmet off. "Welcome, milady. Sir Khelt." General Tiberius Stellan was a young general at only twenty-six, his position hard-earned and his bright energy and youth bringing a new element to the Scottish military. Being so young and often doubted, he'd found inspiration in Kate and had shown his support for her from the moment he'd met her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"General, it is nice to see you again." Kate called back as their groups met and she gave him a smile. "It has been a long journey but I am happy that it is almost done."

 

[KieranSoares]

Stellan bowed his head to Kell and then to Brogan and Julia. "Your Majesties. Please, follow me. We have plenty of room for everyone at the castle." He drew his steed around with a bright smile and his men fell into escort positions around the train of Ghis wagons and riders.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate made sure to glance over her shoulder to her cousins and siblings who watched the entire thing with a sense of awe. They were used to the subdued pageantry of Inverness. This was on a much grander scale.

 

[KieranSoares]

Their journey through the city brought out all kinds of people trying to get a glance at the woman soon to be their queen, and Stellan's men kept everything orderly and safe especially around the younger Ghis. Stellan himself led the way with two guards who would occasionally spread out to clear the way. It seemed word traveled faster than the group, as by the time Kate reached the noble district near the castle, many noble folks were already out to watch the procession. The courtyard gates were made up of a door and a huge portcullis, already open and waiting for Kate as they had been in her past visits. And near the doors of Castle Edinburgh awaited Warwick in simple but fine lord's attire, leaning heavily on his cane.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate smiled as she saw Warwick, slipping from her saddle as soon as she could to greet the man. She wrapped him up in a tight hug, grinning in joy for he first time since she had left Inverness.

"You're a sight for sore eyes." She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hello, my dear," Warwick chuckled warmly and kissed her cheek as he held her with one arm. "It's good to see you made it. Safely, I hope." He looked up as her family gathered, and he was immediately drowned in love and embraces from Kate's uncles, Valentina, Kitty, and Vincenzo. Brogan was last to approach, the older man hugging the giant tightly.

"Look how far you've all come. All parents, all fine upstanding people. And a king whose daughter is about to ascend to the High Throne. We have all become far more than we ever thought possible." Warwick looked over them all like a proud father, and then he looked to Kitty. "And I think it's fair to say it started with you, my love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't take any credit for this. Each of them had to find their own way." Kitty said with a fond smile towards Warwick. "And they all brought home someone that I could Be proud of."

 

[KieranSoares]

Warwick gladly embraced Kitty once more before looking back to the castle. "Come in. We have plenty of food being prepared, rooms ready. Kate and Kell, your room has been set up to your requests."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have many more things to add to our apartment." Kate said with a chuckle as she followed behind Warwick into the castle.

It was only moments before they saw Marianne, but the former queen only had eyes for her grandson. Lynndon was asleep against his mother's shoulder but Kayla gladly handed him off with a small smile. Lynndon was the light of Marianne's life now and she could hardly deny her the chance to spoil him.