To Capture a Captain's Heart (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"She's hiding most of the fear and pain," Elhardt told her bluntly. "She's distraught, lost, and terrified. For all the confidence she puts on, there's a scared widow hiding just under the surface. This Russian Prince... He's ruthless and loses all human decency when there's a prize to be won... But I'm sure you understand better than most what kind of man that is."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We will let it be known that should anyone act like Olaf, they will be dealt with as brutally and swiftly as possible." Kayla said as she took a sip of her hot tea. "I will never let someone know that pain ever again."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Your Lord Protector may well beat you to it," Elhardt smiled to Kayla as he relaxed back into the chair. "As for Kjotva... She's stubborn as they come, and she'll have to heal on her own over time. But I won't let her pigheadedness stop her from having the Khan's help if she needs him. He'll jump at only a word of his daughter being in danger. And even if he didn't, her mother Lady Freja would."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I just want her to know that she's safe." Kayla said softly. "Safe to grieve and safe to pick up the pieces of her life. It will be hard. There's no doubt about that. The least we can do I make her comfortable and happy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"And you know I'll be right there every step of the way with the both of you. We can secure her country's people- they'll be in mourning for a some time, they loved Sigmund- and put up a defense against the Russians. Unless he strikes at her lands, I hope we can intimidate him into at least a brief peace. I can hardly believe she didn't declare war when Kollr and Sigmund fell, but then again... I know if my wife and any of my children were killed, I'd be too broken to even think of war. So we may have to think of it for her for now. But mark my words, sister... war is coming, sooner or later. You are the safest of the three of us with the westernmost country, which I am glad for seeing as you have more than a kingdom to attend to now. I will hold the borders until Kjotva can join me. If hostilities do not cease... I may just declare war myself if this Prince continues his damaging skirmishes."

 

[heartofcourage]

"A child does not matter, Elhardt. If you are in danger, I want to know. I will send as many troops as I can to your borders to help with the threat." Kayla said as Christopher stepped into the room and instantly she had a smile upon her face. "I'm sure that Christopher will agree with me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"To an extent," Christopher nodded. If there was a danger posed to his family, he had made it very clear that Kayla and any children they might have came first.

"I'd expect nothing less," Elhardt agreed as Christopher sat down. "If it comes to war, I'd rather have you two focusing on social and economic issues anyhow. You've already proven the best of the three kingdoms in that sense, even though you had to drag Norway up by its bootstraps after Olaf. Kjotva and I are better in foreign affairs, trade and war. That's why I jump at the chance to come to Norway."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps we can help you set up a trade network. We have a group of sellers in our market from Asia and they are very willing to sell their wears at reasonable prices. In fact, my gown was made from their fabric." She told Elhardt. "Christopher and I would be happy to take you to them tomorrow so that you can meet them first hand."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I may have to take you up on that offer."

Kjotva entered soon enough with her steward Bardsson at her side, relaying a few orders in her native tongue before she sent him off. She stepped in to look at Kayla and Elhardt and raised an eyebrow with her hands on her hips. "Alright, lazybones, I'm done with my work for now. I can see you two have just exhausted yourselves."

Elhardt chuckled deeply and rose to kiss Kjotva's cheek. "Oh, you know me, just being shiftless as possible. I'm training Kayla."

Kjotva let him kiss her cheek, but then gave his shoulder a little shove. "You're a terrible influence."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't worry, Kjotva. I don't listen to a word he says." Kayla said with a smile on her face.

Her time spent with her fellow rulers was peaceful. She learned a lot from the way that the two of them interacted. They were comfortable with one another, talking both about politics and teasing each other easily. Soon enough, they each parted to ready for the banquet that was to take place that evening. It gave her the opportunity to be alone with her husband for the first time since her announcement.

"I'm sorry, Chris. I should have told you this morning but it just kind of slipped out." She said as she wrapped her captain in a tight hug, her cheek pressed tightly against his chest. "Are you happy?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm... well, for one, I'm speechless..." Christopher muttered as he held her tightly, but also rather carefully. He didn't even realize he was doing it. "I never really imagined I'd get t' be a father... Especially not th' father o' your children..." He lifted her chin and he pressed an adoring kiss to her lips. "I love you, Kayla," he whispered with a small, but excited grin.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course you were going to be a father." Kayla said with a happy smile on her face as he lifted her chin and kissed her. "I want this entire keep full of your children. All with a little Irish lilt."

She couldn't help but laugh softly as she said that, holding her husband so tightly. She adored this man and loved him to death and it was her greatest joy to know that she was giving him what he wanted above all else in the world.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You want a keep full of th' children of a reckless Irish Captain made Norwegian General an' Viking-in-training?" Christopher laughed. "You've got a death wish for stress an' worry, Kay." He knew he'd be just as worried and stressed when his children got into trouble, if they were anything like how he'd been before he'd shaped up and met Kayla.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Of course I do." Kayla said with a sincere smile on her lips. "Being a mother is what I've always wanted. The fact that it's with you is the best thing I could ever think of."

She knew that Christopher had a rough childhood. She knew that he had practically been raised by the Monaghan family. She wondered what he thought about having a child of his own to raise and love and if it brought up painful memories for him.

"When this royal meeting is over with, perhaps we can plan a trip to Ireland." She said softy, looking up into his eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll have to make sure there'll be no trouble from Russia while we're gone," Christopher nodded. "But I'd love t' visit home again... I love it here, but I miss th' emerald isle."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You leave Russia to me. I'll make sure that everything is nice and safe for your trip home." Kayla said with a smile on her lips as she drew her husband down for a kiss.

She couldn't help the heat that she put behind the kiss. She couldn't help the fact that she wanted and dreamed of her husband when they were apart. She couldn't help that she was incredibly happy to be carrying his child. Everything in her life seemed so perfect in that moment.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's my job, love. And my honor," Christopher reminded her once more before he kissed her again. They enjoyed their time alone to the fullest before reuniting once more with Kjotva and Elhardt. After the two leaders returned home a few days later, Christopher began making preparations. It seemed a trip to Ireland would be easily pulled off, until the day before they intended to depart when a messenger came charging into the Trondheim palace in the middle of the noon meal, looking like he was about to die of exhaustion.

"Lord Protector!" The man called out, doubling over to try to catch his breath.

"Breathe, man," Christopher told him as he rose from his place by Kayla's side.

"Sir... I-"

"I said breathe. Get your thoughts together." Christopher drew the man over to an empty seat as the hall fell quiet to hear what the man had to say. So frantic was the man that Kayla's hardy warriors and guards had their hands on their blades and axes, ready for whatever news. It couldn't be good.

"Sir," the man finally breathed more easily. "I bring word from Sweden. The Queen has disappeared. We believe her to have been taken."

"What?!" Ulfric suddenly jumped to his feet, having been ready at any moment when the man burst in.

"She returned home to the palace in Malmö and a letter arrived from Russia, we're not sure what about. But a week later, she was gone and her weapons and horse were left behind. She wouldn't have left willingly without them. We believe she is in the hands of the Russian prince."

"Has word been sent to Denmark?" Christopher demanded.

"Yes sir, another messenger left at the same time. The queen's steward has taken point in Sweden, and asks that the brother and sister rulers come together in Malmö to form a plan of attack. Our country demands war, sir, and Denmark surely will too. It is the obligation and honor of the Triad of Scandinavia to march to war together."

Christopher turned to Kayla then, looking for her decision. He would not make war if she refused, but he'd fight like a madman if enemies came anywhere near Norway. He knew the obligations of honor of the three sister countries, but Kayla's word was his law.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Være rolig." Kayla said to her armed men as they looked ready to run from the keep and take up arms in the honor of the missing queen. "We will think about this logically before we go rushing off into anything."

She stood from her spot, her meal untouched as she motioned for Christopher and Ulfrich to follow her into her private chambers to discuss this matter. Her belly was quickly taking on a rounded appearance which was still hidden by her clothing. Only her closest advisory and her husband knew that she was expecting and the news would be kept secret until absolutely necessary.

As the three entered the room and the door was locked behind them, Kayla took a seat and let out a long sigh. "If Russia has her, then we are in for a war. I do not want to send this country into battle unless it is unavoidable."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We can't be certain, though," Ulfric growled in frustration. He remained standing as Christopher sat down beside Kayla. "Kjotva's husband had many enemies thanks to his family's long line of warriors, and her own family had just as many on both sides. Russia is a relatively new addition to the list. I just can't believe someone actually managed to take her... whoever it was, they're in for the fight of their lives trying to keep her in chains and keeping Elhardt from destroying everything they have."

"All things considered... what d'you suggest?" Christopher asked quietly.

"I think we need to go to Malmö and meet with Bardsson and get the story from him and the people who first found that Kjotva was missing. We have to be quick, though... The Russian Prince might not kill Kjotva, but many of her other enemies certainly will. Probably in some great spectacle, if I know some of them. My greatest fear is that the Normans have her, the ones who stand in France against King Henry despite his lineage to King William. Most Normans and the Saxons still left in Britain despise Norway and her sisters after the failed invasions back before the Battle of Hastings."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla listened to the two men talk, considering all of the options that they had in front of them. She and Christopher would have to go to meet with the other troops. It was a shame, she thought to herself. They were so close to going to Ireland for a much needed vacation.

"We will set sail in the morning for Molmo." She said softly, standing from her seat. "I''ll have Helga pack for the both of us. In the mean time, I want to know what your network has to say, Ulfric. Every single detail that they can give us might be helpful in the future."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll talk with my spymaster, he ought to know more than the messenger." Ulfric nodded and made his way out. Christopher let out a long sigh, his shoulders relaxing finally as he took stock of the situation.

"Well... Seems Ireland'll have t'wait," he murmured. "It'll still be there when we're finished."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm sorry, Christopher. I know how much you were looking forward to going." Kayla said, looking at her husband as he relaxed. "Jessie will be upset with the news, I know."

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Christopher's neck, sitting in his lap as she gently pressed her lips against his own.

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher gladly found a bit of solace in her attention, meeting her eyes with a smile as their lips parted. "It's alright... She'll just have an excuse to get after me when we get there."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll make it up to you. I promise." Kayla promised her husband with a smile as he smiled back at her. "But for right now, I have to pack. And you have to speak to your men."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They'll be ready when you are," Christopher nodded, rising after setting her on the seat beside him. "And you don' need to make anythin' up to me. As long as we all come out o' this fairly well, I'll be fine." He left her with one last kiss and headed out to rally his men for what looked to be his first possible fight with them. He hoped only that they would give him the chance to prove himself before they judged his leadership too harshly by their ancient Viking traditions.