Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

Kate sat with Marianne at the head table, watching the entire clan come together with the same noise and warmth that they were always known for. She smiled, knowing that she would miss all of the chaos as soon as they were gone. She glanced towards Marianne as Lynndon snuggled up against his grandmother, the former queen sitting content with a smile on her lips.

"He adores you." Kate said with a chuckle.

 

[KieranSoares]

"And I love him more than life," Marianne murmured, Lynndon distracted by a brief visit from his mother as she assured he wasn't overexerting Marianne. He had never been a strain to his grandmother in all his young life.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Are you doing well, my love?" Kayla murmured, kissing Lynn's cheek as he gave her a happy little smile. "I can take him if you need some time."

She knew the answer Marianne would give her was no and she simply smiled and left him in her care.

"I'll make sure that he comes to visit you whenever you like after the coronation." Kate said with a laugh as the little boy sighed and hugged Marianne tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll finally be able to go and visit him myself sometime. Brogan has suggested it many times... I know this must all be difficult for you, Kate, but if it counts for anything... You're certainly freeing this old woman to enjoy the rest of her days."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You deserve the chance to rest, Marianne. I don't mind taking the throne. I just wish that my family wasn't so far away." Kate said with a smile as Marianne thanked her for the chance to see her grandson more.

 

[KieranSoares]

"But with the throne, you have access to them. Or rather, they have access to you as they like. One of the perks is that bringing visitors is easy with all the connections you'll have.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose that's true. They all have their own lives, though. It will be hard to get them here whenever I feel homesick." Kate said as she glanced towards her father as he sat with a large smile on his face at having his family all together. "My Da especially."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It won't be every week that they visit... But a few times a year. And Edinburgh is central enough that your whole family would be able to gather here for any holiday gatherings."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No. Inverness has a special spot in our family for the holidays." Kate said with a sad smile as she thought about all of the holidays that they had celebrated over the years. "But you know it's time for Kell and I to start out own traditions here."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Which reminds me of a question many of the nobles asked me..." Marianne murmured, stroking Lynndon's hair. "Are you and Kell staying as Clan Ghis, or House Aleister?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I am very proud of my heritage, but I am married to Kell. It is our legacy and our children that will assume the throne. We will be the House of Aleister." Kate said with passion in her voice. "And no one will question me otherwise."

 

[KieranSoares]

Marianne chuckled. "Many of us wondered who would take whose name." She looked to Kate with some level of admiration. "That attitude may be just what you need to make it your first year."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm stubborn, Marianne. Perhaps more stubborn than these lords have ever had to deal with before. I will make sure that they stay in their place and I won't suffer fools. If they are respectful of me and my rule then we won't have any problems." Kate promised.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just don't be too gruff with them for the first month. There's a number that I know will resist you and test you to see what you're capable of, but who are good allies in the long run. I suppose what I'm saying is, find out who your friends and enemies are, and find the ones in between who put their people ahead of their loyalty to you. Those ones are the most ruthless defenders and they will hold the line when trouble strikes if you show them that you care for their people too."

Marianne glanced out over the Ghis Clan. "There will be some who always look at you as a woman going above her station, a clan barbarian, and so on. But don't let them see your temper. Rage is for war, not allies and vassals, as stupid as some of them might be. Let Kell deal with treachery. It is his job to protect you as much as it is to protect the people from uncaring lords. And I'm sure I don't have to remind you of your alliances with the clans. They'll all send representatives to remake whatever pacts and agreements they have with the high throne as those become void whenever the throne on either end passes to a new person. The clans are your first true allies outside your vassals, and beyond them are our neighbors outside Scotland, even if our people get into spats as seems to be tradition.... I suppose that this line of work is one of peacekeeping and mediation above all. The more people you can keep fed and satisfied, and the more your lords feel you care about their opinions, and the more your allies trade and cooperate with you, the better Scotland will flourish and the more highly you'll be regarded. Perhaps in a decade you'll even have cities' worth of warriors willing to go to battle just for your good name like your aunt has. In Trondheim, there are droves of people who will get into brawls with those who unfairly berate her, and more who will pick up a blade at her slightest worry to defend her. Because they love her, and she has cared for them all."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know there will be hard times. I know that there will be those that refuse to serve under me because they adore your family. However, I want them to at least have a good and safe home. I would do anything for Scotland, even give my life for her. Kell feels the same way, except that he would stop me from doing anything foolish." She said softly as Marianne talked about how she might be able to win over the different lords that she would soon be ruling over.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's all you really need, then. And be prepared to start dealing with problems right away. I'm afraid that because of my less than perfect health among many other things, the majority of the lords have avoided loading too many issues onto my plate. They may refrain from giving them to you for some time as well, until they decide you're worth the trouble. Some of them are very sweet men... They cared for my family, and have been with me since my engagement to Brian was even announced. And those who loved Gale will no doubt at least give you a fair chance. And then there's the women... Not many, mind you, and mostly widows of late lords or daughters of those who never had sons, and won't marry because they know it means giving up their voice. The widows are mostly respected but contested, while the daughters are so often drowned out by older lords who dismiss them. I've tried to make them see that those girls are trained and able at their jobs, but most don't listen. The ladies are ecstatic for a lone queen to take the throne. Some are worried Kell might ignore them like the other men, but most are curious if not afraid of him because of what he is. And I'm sure I don't need to tell you that most of Scotland is wary of a Wolf taking such a high position so close to a King."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The love I have for my husband will not sway my decisions." Kate said softly. "I know people are weary but he is the best man that I've ever know...besides my da."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know that, and so does Warwick, but it will take some convincing for the rest. And some will never be convinced."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Kell has more pressing matters than worrying about whether people like him or not." Kate said softly as she turned to look at her husband, giving him a smile as he looked in her direction. "And it doesn't matter if they do. All that matters is that I love him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's already proven his prowess on a small scale. Even if they don't like him, they'll have to admit he's good at what he does and he knows when he needs his grandfather's help. Thankfully he's not as stubborn as you lot and knows his limits." Marianne chuckled and sat back comfortably.

Before long, a few choice people came to join the lively clan. There was a particular giant white Wolf who'd been invited that Kate had only seen once back during the siege of Inverness. He outsized Durban and immediately had Julia's attention. It was Casso, the Wolf who had twice helped to save Inverness and was brother to Julia and Kreston. With him came a little white cub riding on his back.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Casso. I'm so happy that you made it." Julia said with a large smile, standing from her seat to greet him with a tight hug. "And who is this you've brought with you?"

 

[KieranSoares]

As Julia had learned during the Erygonian siege of Inverness, Casso's English had come a long way, and he chuckled with a murmur of, "Hello, dear sister." At her question, he took the cub from his shoulders, one less than three years old that seemed very well-mannered for her age and though she played with his fur, she was quiet and respectful of those around her. "My little girl," he murmured, "my granddaughter, Dehan." Julia had heard of the unfortunate passing of Casso's only daughter in childbirth, and the passing of her mate shortly later of sickness brought on by heartbreak. His own mate had passed peacefully despite a battle with an unknown sickness only a month prior to Kate's marriage. This little cub was all he had left, and being just older than Julia, he had been a young father and was now a very young grandfather. But his spirit seemed alive and well, his old charm and energy still palpable. And with how he looked at Dehan, it was clear she was his world.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Lovely to meet you, Dehan." Julia said to the small cub as she hugged her grandfather seemed content to be with him. "She's beautiful, Casso. And well behaved. I'm sure that your daughter and mate would be very proud of you."

She had heard about Casso's troubles and she had Brogan had helped to support him when his mate was very ill. It wasn't much, but it allowed him to be at home with her until the very end. He seemed content, however. It was clear that his granddaughter was his strength.

 

[KieranSoares]

Casso ruffled the cub's fur before meeting Julia's gaze once more. "I have to admit, however, I'm here on business. Kell has offered me a position as a trainer for a small guerilla standing force, not unlike the Axemen. And seeing as it's my specialty and he's ensured I'll be able to support this little one, I've come to discuss terms with him."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Casso, I made a promise that you would never have to fight again. With this little one are you sure that's what you want?" Julia asked him softly. "Brogan and I would be more than happy to help support her and you for what you did for Inverness."