Of the Fells

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo laid down his herbs and came to her, lifting his hands to her cheeks to raise her eyes to his own. "Cara mia... I know you're brave, and you have yet to fear battles or war... but this time... I feel that things are much more dire that anything Brogan has faced before. He faces a woman who will stop at nothing to destroy his dearest possessions and take him for her own after he broke her heart... You remember how I told you, when you were young and your mother would get angry at your brothers' tricks, that Hell has no fury like a woman scorned? I was very serious, and Sarah has wrath that far overshadows any you may have seen thus far... Things are going to be very dangerous, and very dire."

 

[heartofcourage]

Val looked deep into her father's eyes as he explained the situation to her. He did that as he always did since she was little and wanted her to completely understand what was happening. She nodded her understanding.

"I know, Papa." She said softly. "And I do worry about my family, but we've already been through so much as a family. Surely this won't pull us down."

 

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo sighed. "One can only hope, sweetheart... But I have a very bad feeling about the coming days... I'm afraid that if we aren't careful enough... I may lose one of my new sons." He stepped back and shook his head. "They're too headstrong... the ones I'm most worried for are Boar and Durban... Boar thinks it's his duty alone to defend his homeland, and Durban acts as if he's still the Crown Prince, fighting for a kingdom that relies so heavily upon him. It's Brogan that carries the most weight, though... They all have families and responsibility, but Brogan carries the memories and guilt of Cassie's death, and the knowledge that if he fails, there's no telling what else Sarah might do."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Papa, they're grown men with families. You can't just tell them to not fight. It will make them want to do it all the more." Val said softly as her father let her see his fears. "All we can do is help them and hope that we can bandage them up when everything is said and done."

 

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo gave her a bitter smile. "I know, love... And I'm sorry I've let all of this get to me... I have more to lose since I finally married your mother, and I'm afraid that I will lose someone before the end of Sarah's rage. But we can only hope for the best and prepare for the worst, yes?" He pressed a kiss to her cheek before turning back to his work, running his fingers back through his hair. She had never seen him so worried.

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina saw the worry in her father's eyes, the worry that he carried for his new sons and for his wife's well being. She didn't like the feeling that filled the pit of her belly. She let out a soft sigh and looked up at her father.

"Papa. I want to work on the battlefield." She said softly. "I think you would be better served here at the keep."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll have nothing to do here. We're both needed. We're both going," Vincenzo told her in no uncertain terms. "Brogan is going to need people who can keep everything in order behind the fighting lines, and he's trusting us to do it."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It'll be alright, Papa." Val said softly as he told her that they were both going to the battlefield. "Everything will work out fine. I promise."

 

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo nodded and sighed, "I suppose the thing I'm most afraid of doing is leaving your mother's side..." He smiled to Valentina, "Call me clingy if you like, but after so long, I'm loathe to leave her side."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh, Papa. You're such a hopeless romantic." Val said, giving him a grin as she wrapped her arms around his chest and held him tightly. "You and Ma are absolutely perfect for each other. It makes me happy that you're finally together."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm Italian, love. Romance is in my blood. If only you saw how I won your mother's heart in the first place," he grinned back as he wrapped his arms around her in return and kissed her forehead.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I didn't have to be there to know, Papa. I'm the result of that love." She murmured as he kissed her forehead. "And I'm happy that you're here in Scotland. They all need you to be the loving father that I always knew you were."

 

[KieranSoares]

Vincenzo smiled and finally parted from her. "Now make sure you're ready when the time comes to leave. And don't forget to say goodbye to everyone." He then smirked, "Especially Theo."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Papa." Val warned, her cheeks blushing deeply as he told her not to forget Theo. "Theo is just a friend. Nothing more."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn't say he wasn't," Vincenzo said with a chuckle as he turned away.

That night was a solemn one as the last of those going out to war said their goodbyes and would be gone by morning. The Ghis women especially were dealing with the painful memory of their men's farewells and it only hurt worse to see the others staying behind going through the same pain. Vincenzo spent the quiet night with Kitty. Theo was at Julia's side caring for Annie who was still fairly upset with Brogan for leaving again so soon.

 

[heartofcourage]

Val had tried to find a moment to speak with Theo all day. He seemed to be busy though with Annie as the little girl cried for her Da that had left so suddenly. Instead, she focused on her herbs and medicines, making sure that each and every jar was filled with everything that they would need.

 

[KieranSoares]

As dusk drew over Inverness, Theo managed to get Annie calmed down and into bed before he came to seek Valentina. He knocked on the door to her room and spoke up in case she was distracted with her work. "Miss Val, it's Theo."

 

[heartofcourage]

Val looked up from her task as she heard the knock at her door and glanced over towards the entrance as Theo announced that it was him.

"Come in." She called out, turning back towards her jars as she didn't wait for him to come inside.

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo stepped in quietly, not surprised in the least to see her still fussing over herbs (though Vincenzo probably had enough for both of them). He'd been outfitted, since she'd last gotten to spend time with him, with a new wardrobe courtesy of the King and Queen, and he was now clad in the colors of Inverness in black and blue with his leather boots and gloves and his new broad belt that carried a new battleaxe. He was quite the sight. His hair was tied back and his beard was trimmed neatly. He looked a fair bit more suited to be a Keep Guard, but he still looked rugged as ever. His new attire, however, had no effect on the gentle expression and the kind light in his eyes.

"Evenin', Miss Val," he said softly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Val turned to look at him finally, pausing as she noticed that he was dress in new clothes that her brother had given to him. Her eyes studied him for a long moment, a smile tilting her lips as he wished her a good evening.

"You clean up well, Theo." She said softly, letting him see the luminous smile that so very few had seen before.

 

[KieranSoares]

Theo looked down at himself as if he hadn't really considered how he looked. "Lady Julia 'ad these made fer me. I s'pose they're pretty good, I'm jus' no' used t'clothes as... refined as this." It was hardly an ensemble to wear to a royal court, but compared to the rough tunic and trousers Theo was used to, this was like wearing silk and finery. He looked up to meet Valentina's gaze. "I... I didn' wan' t'miss the chance t'say good luck an' goodbye. Lot o' people think y'shouldn't go, tha' y'should stay an' wait fer wounded t'return. I guess... well, I think I'm part o' tha'group, but... y'know what yer doin'."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Papa needs my help out there." Val said simply as she turned back to her task. "I can't leave him with the large responsibily of caring for everyone. I don't care what the others have to say. This is the job that I was born to do and I will do it until the day that I die."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Jus' try not t'make tha' day too soon, aye...?" Theo murmured just loudly enough for her to hear. He quietly decided it was best not to intrude any longer, and he went on his way. If he was honest, he didn't really have the heart to give a proper farewell because he was terrified for the safety of his first real friend and companion in Inverness.

Dawn came too quickly, and as the sun climbed, the second force assembled, made mostly of horsemen, heavy defenders, archers. They were backed by healers and lead by scouts. Everything seemed in order as Valentina's horse Raul was brought to her, until Kitty hurried out to wrap a cloak around her shoulders. "Fool thing to do, runnin' off without a cloak," she scolded softly with tears of worry in her eyes.

 

[heartofcourage]

Val was stunned when her mother came hurrying out of the keep with a cloak in her hands. She didn't say anything as it was wrapped around her shoulders and then she saw the look of worry in her mother's eyes.

"Ma, don't cry." Val said softly. "You've cried too much in this lifetime as it is. I don't need anyone shedding tears for me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's no' my fault my babies keep runnin' off t'war," Kitty murmured as she tried to fasten the cloak's pin with shaking hands. Once she finally succeeded, she met Valentina's eyes for a moment and then pulled her into a tight hug, hiding her tears by burying her face against Valentina's shoulder. "Y'were the one who was never supposed t'be caught up in war..."