Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"You are my wolf." Kate said as she leaned in and nipped at his ear. "And I hope you never forget that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Never," Kell half-growled with a smile, nipping her throat in response.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll meet you in the vestibule before dinner this evening. Your queen will be demanding your services." Kate whispered against his ear.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell pressed closer against her as she demanded his presence later, and he gave her a small nod. "At your command."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't get too far away from me during the coronation. I'll need you there every step of the way." She murmured, kissing him one more time as he pressed close, giving her hope for their future together.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be an arm's length away at all times," he promised before stepping over to her vanity to fetch his Knight's medallion to pin to his coat.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate watched him as he finished his suit by pinning his knight's medallion to his smart coat. She moved beside him and took her own, turning to pin it to his suit as well.

"I don't want to ruin my ma's handiwork, so I'll let you wear this proudly for me." Kate said softly, knowing that Kell would not mind at all. "I love you, Khelt."

 

[KieranSoares]

Standing proudly before her as she pinned the medal to his chest, Kell leaned down to kiss her once more. "And I love you." He offered her his arm. "Shall we, milady?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I suppose we should." Kate said as she took his arm and gave him a small smile, allowing him to escort her out of the room to meet up with her family before they made their way as a group to the chapel where she would be crowned officially.

 

[KieranSoares]

The entire ceremony would take place in the nearby cathedral as was tradition, though Marianne had tried to keep religion out of it for the most part. It was the duty of the ruling monarch, the archbishop, and the Council of Lords to crown the new ruler, so they were all ahead and waiting for the pair.

The short ride there had been set up as a parade of sorts, flanked on all sides by soldiers in ceremonial dress. But it would be the ride back that was the true parade with bagpipes and drums and all.

The soldiers were in perfect form, boots and armor gleaming like new in the sunlight as the grey skies gave way to blue. The light fog from the early morning had burned off and the atmosphere was crystal clear. Lines of cavalry led and followed the carriages that contained all the rulers who'd come to welcome and support Kate. Kate and Kell's own carriage followed at the back, whereas they would lead on the way back to the castle.

Kell was utterly unshakable and calm as the carriage went, sitting beside Kate as people gazed up at them in wonder, some hopeful and some worried about the future. But for the most part, it seemed women in particular were glad to see Kate and many tossed flowers out into the street as she passed. The few werefolk in the crowd kept to themselves, but seemed awed by Kell's presence as the very right hand of the woman who would be queen.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate waved to the crowds of well wishers as they gathered to watch their future queen. She wondered briefly if they would be so understanding the first long, hard winter. Would they still be as in awe of her when it was shown that she wasn't a saint by merely human? She glanced towards Kell as she felt his fingers gently wrap around her own as if he knew her thoughts and she gave him a small smile.

"Forgive me." Kate whispered softly as their carriage came to a halt in front of the cathedral. "Shall we, love? Or shall we tell the driver to simply keep going?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's up to you, eldere." Kell rose as the carriage door open. And it truly seemed as if he were giving her the choice, letting her lead. A line of knights stood on either side of the aisle to the cathedral entrance, their full armor and tabards and shields displaying heraldry, bannered Spears displaying the colors of Scotland in their right hands.

 

[heartofcourage]

"A Ghis doesn't run from responsibility." Kate said as she stood with her husband and stepped down from the carriage, the noise from the crowd growing a little louder as they caught sight of her in her fine gown and jewels.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell's stride matched her own as they went, keeping her step sure and graceful on the long aisle to the cathedral. When she stepped into the front foyer of the cathedral, the noise of the public was sealed out for the moment. In this hall, it was just allied rulers, lords, and high ranking vassals. Knights and guards ringed the entire hall, but Kate would know that the main security was unseen, and no doubt Qira was watching over her from an unknown vantage point.

The archbishop and Marianne stood at the altar and a number of people were brought to the front ahead of Kate. Her uncles Abel and Cahal had arrived, and joined her immediate family as they were responsible for Kate's knighthood and would see her rise even higher. The last two to precede Kate and Kell were Julia and Brogan, dressed in matching ceremonial outfits of blue, black, and white. Brogan looked like the absolute master of his domain, a look Kate had seen many times in large events. But that didn't stop him from giving her a smile before they stepped down the aisle.

 

[heartofcourage]

"None of this changes who I am. That is the only reason I am standing here right now." Kate said softly to Kell, glancing at him as they waited for everyone to be settled before she was announced in a blast of trumpet sound, the herald calling out to everyone to rise for her procession to the alter.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kell straightened once more as she was announced, her full title announced soon followed by his own. As they finally stepped down the aisle, Kell only parting from her briefly as she was bid to step forward alone. But he was always just behind her.

"Lady Katherine Aleister," the archbishop addressed her. "By request of the late King Gale of Edinburgh, you have been chosen to succeed the high throne of Scotland in place of the dowager queen Her Highness Marianne of Edinburgh. Will you accept this mantle?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I accept." She said in a clear and strong voice, not wanting to show a single moment of weakness in front of anyone. "With a clear conscience and strong resolve."

 

[KieranSoares]

The archbishop nodded, turning to Marianne. "Your Majesty."

Marianne stepped forward, looking graceful and absolutely the ruler of her own realm as an attendant came beside her carrying Kate's crown. It had been adjusted for her, silver with gold trimming and blue gems of topaz and sapphire. She recited a Latin verse, once that named Kate's house as the new royal rulers of Scotland's holdings and successor to Marianne's own house of Cross. She repeated it in Gaelic as it was the traditional language of her house, and then in Erygonian out of respect for Kell and House Aleister being essentially half Erygonian now.

She took the crown from it's silken cushion. "By the power granted to my house by God, and the responsibility left to me by my late son Gale Cross of Edinburgh, I hereby name Katherine Valencia Aleister, daughter of House Ghis and matriarch of House Aleister, High Queen and rightful ruler of the Country of Scotland and all it's holdings." She placed the crown upon Kate's head, and the cathedral erupted in applause from polite to ecstatic, only quieting as the archbishop took over and reaffirmed.

"Under the eyes of the Lord and the Church of Scotland, I give you your Queen," he spoke, drawing Kate up to the altar to face the crowd.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate's hands were shaking slightly as she knelt so Marianne could place the crown upon her head. It wasn't nearly as heavy as it had been the first time she had tried it on, but it was impossible to ignore. It was a firm reminder of the position that she now held and she promised herself that she would take it as seriously as she possibly could.

As the high priest pulled her up to the alter and showed her to the crowd, she glanced towards her father. He looked so proud and she gave him a soft smile. He had been her world for so long and he knew how much he meant to her. This was just as much his moment as it was hers.

 

[KieranSoares]

Soon the archbishop brought Kate another silk cushion with the sash and medal of the Lord Protector. "Your Majesty. It is time for you to bestow the first station of your rule."

Kell still stood motionless off to the side of the aisle, patiently watching in silence.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sir Khelt Damian Aleister." Kate called to him, waiting until he stepped in front of her. "It is my duty as the high queen of Scotland to offer to you the position of Lord Protector. Do you accept?"

She held the silk cushion, looking into Kell's amber gaze with all of the love and respect she had for him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I accept, Your Highness, to defend you and Scotland with my life and all at my disposal," he spoke loud enough to be heard, looking up to her at the top of the steps to the altar. "I am at your command, milady." Despite the formal nature of it all, she could hear in his tone that it was meant as a vow to her personally as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate stepped down the few steps of the alter, placin rhe dash around his lean body to join the one he already wore with both of their orders. They had made a solemn pact to not act affectionate with each other in public and it was very hard not to kiss him right then and there.

 

[KieranSoares]

The shoulder sash was royal blue and fit handsomely with his attire, the seal of the Lord Protector gleaming on his chest. Looking down at her, Kell's gaze softened. "Thank you, milady," he murmured, the words too soft to be heard by most. The archbishop took over once more.

"Lords and ladies, I give you Queen Katherine Valencia Aleister, and Lord Protector Khelt Damian Aleister of Scotland," he announced, and applause echoed through the entire cathedral as the two stepped back up and faced the crowd together, Kell offering his arm to Kate before they stepped back down to greet lords and ladies. So they would rejoin the parade and make their way to the castle as its new keepers.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate greeted everyone that wanted to come and congratulate them. It was exhausting, but it was her duty. Her own family held back and there would be time for all of them to offer their congratulations later.