To Capture a Captain's Heart (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I want to give a child of our own every chance we can without putting you in danger, love. But I know I could be just as proud of a little one we give a home instead." His arms settled around her and his head rested against hers.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you for loving me, Christopher." Kayla said softly as her husband pressed his forehead against her own and swore that he would love any child that she gave to him, whether from her body or one that they chose on their own.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You make it impossible not to," Christopher told her with a handsome grin before kissing her lips adoringly. "And I'm incredibly proud to be your Lord Protector."

 

[heartofcourage]

"What happened to the shy captain from Ireland? He would never dream of kissing me the way that You do." Kayla said softly, a smile on her lips at that thought.

 

[KieranSoares]

"He married the Queen of Norway and learned she seems to like a rather bold General. And shyness isn't exactly welcome in a court of vikings." His fingers came to touch her cheek before he welcomed her to come join her family.

Ever the matriarch, Kitty seemed content looking over the little ones while they sought stories and wrestling matches with their uncles, with the except of Burke and the infants, of course. Burke was quite contently sat between his parents, occasionally looking over to his father to check on little Ashleigh in his arms.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's still just the same, Bo." Dylan murmured, chuckling as she called Burke by his pet name and ran her fingers through his thick hair. "You're a good big brother. Da said when we get home, we'll look into getting you your own squire's set. Would you like that?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"But I'm too young," Burke murmured to Dylandra.

"Well, if you insist, we'll make it a page's set," Ashien chuckled, holding Ashleigh against his chest with one arm so he could reach out to hug Burke against his side. "That is, if that's what you want to do. You're free to do and try anything, lad."

"Can I be a page and work with the horses and Kiva?" Burke asked ever so quietly, as if he were afraid he'd be denied.

"Absolutely," Ashien promised him. The boy loved Kiva and their werefolk neighbors, and Ashien believed it probably had something to do with Burke's heritage as the boy likely had a bit of werefolk blood.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can also still paint with Da or I whenever you want. Anything in the world you want to try and we will do our best to give you the chance." Dylan promised their boy as she leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You're a good boy, Bo. You never have to be afraid to ask us for things. You'll never go back to that workhouse. Ashleigh would be very sad if you did."

 

[KieranSoares]

Even though Burke knew his new parents wouldn't give him up for anything, hearing Dylandra confirmed that he had a home for good always soothed him, and he simply curled up between them quietly to absorb all the love they gave him. Ashien ruffled his hair with a smile of obvious pride, his gaze turning to Dylandra.

 

[heartofcourage]

Dylan looked at Ashien as their boy curled up between them, soaking in the love that they had to give him. It had only seemed to multiply when Ashleigh came into the world and they both realized just how much they meant to one another.

"Tomorrow, I think all of us should go into town and find something to bring back to Kiva and Van." Dylan suggested, looking down at Burke. "For taking care of all the horses since we've been gone."

 

[KieranSoares]

Burke nodded, and was soon lost in thought about what to bring the two men he called his uncles.

By the time the family made ready to return to the isles, the winter had grown regular and predictable enough to sail, signalling that before long, it would begin to taper off and melt and give way to spring storms. No one wanted to wait around and risk them, despite wanting to stay with Kayla.

But as everyone and their things were packed into the ship, three figures remained behind with Kayla and Christopher. Durban had given his family a warm farewell, managing to calm Elise's tears with a promise that he would be home once he made sure Kayla was set and safe. Theo and Valentina gave all the love they could to Alex, the boy understanding that his aunt Kayla needed help, and he needed to go home for his parents' peace of mind while they helped fend off a potential war. As well as he understood, it didn't stop the tears before Kitty coaxed him onboard.

 

[heartofcourage]

Valentina stood on the docks, watching her boy as Kitty escorted Alex onto the ship. He had insisted that she keep Anna for good luck and the stuffed fox was tucked safely beneath her arm.

"I'm sorry for keeping you away from your family, Val." Kayla said softly, looking at her sister with sorrow.

"Alex will be alright. He understands, but he's also a little boy who has fears of losing the both of us." Valentina said softly, glancing towards Durban as she spoke. "Besides, I can't leave the both of you alone just yet."

 

[KieranSoares]

"This is our choice, Kay," Durban spoke up, coming to put an arm about her shoulders. "We'd have stayed whether ya agreed 'r not."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's right." Valentina said with a smile. "We're family and we don't abandon each other in our time of need."

 

[KieranSoares]

When the ship set out and their family onboard was no longer visible, Christopher welcomed them all back inside. It wouldn't be long before Prince Konstantin Makarikov would arrive in Trondheim as his letter said, with heavy guard and, if Ulfric and Durban's suspicions proved true, likely a part of the Novgorod navy too. Ulfric wanted to be ready as Makarikov had already proven to be aggressive and impatient. If tempers flared, Ulfric had a plan in place.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla was incredibly nervous as the time approached for the meeting between herself and the foreign Prince. She knew that a lot rested on her shoulders, including the future of her time in Norway. It was a lot to think about and she found herself secluded in her office more and more, thinking on what the next few days would hold.

 

[KieranSoares]

Though it wasn't exactly certain which day Makarikov would arrive, Trondheim was aware of his impending arrival. Though Kayla's staff and guards were prepared to make a gracious welcome aimed at neutrality, most of the city and the country were nervous about a notoriously vengeful Prince being given direct counsel with their Queen with a heavy guard close at hand. But Christopher was already making plans only to allow Makarikov to bring in his closest bodyguards. All others were required to remain outside the courtyard, or disarm.

Ulfric already had his spy network in action, going so far as to have tiny, fast vessels out on the sea to look out for the Prince and warn of his approach, and particularly skilled individuals masquerading as simple staff members, and some ready to hide in very secret spaces not even known to Kayla. They were assassins by trade, but equally skilled in being hidden bodyguards and stopping a threat before it got anywhere near protected people. Though he didn't expect Makarikov to be so rash, Ulfric would never dismiss any potential threat.

Durban generally left Kayla be when she wanted to be secluded, but they spent evenings talking about the Rus and the Triad. Durban was certain Makarikov would make trouble, but how much was anyone's guess.

Word arrived of ten ships approaching, giving Trondheim a day's notice to prepare. And the next morning as they all waited for the ship to dock and for Makarikov to arrive, Durban came to find Kayla in her study. He was dressed well in the traditional uniform of an officer of the Invernessian Axemen, with decorative leather armor under a fine tunic and vest and sash of Ghis tartan, over dark trousers, tall boots, and, in Clan Inverness style, a long black tunic. His battleaxe was in its holster on his back, and a shortsword at one hip and a small buckler on the other to complete the true uniform. Axemen never disarmed, not even for ceremonies and peace talks. And in Makarikov's case, no one was without at least a knife in their boot.

Durban had advised Kayla to dress less as if she were going to a feast, and more as if she were going to a meeting of warriors, for her to wear either a simple dress or trousers with her blade at her side as Makarikov would certainly come armed as well. Durban wanted the best chance for them to meet as equals, rather than giving Makarikov even an inch to look down upon her. The castle was decked out in tapestries of stories, the atmosphere more rugged than usual, more rustic like Ulfric insisted the true Norway was. Though he had no disdain for a cleaner style with more elegance, he wanted to show off Norway's rugged soul. They were, after all, a viking culture, and most towns and villages were tough and hardworking with a deep reverence for warriors and for their culture, be it through food, art, or the telling of tales.

Stepping into Kayla's office, Durban sighed quietly. "The ship's docked, but Makarikov's takin' 'is time. Chris 'ad the main street cleared. Looks like this Prince expects t'bring half an army into the city. Tryin' t'show force, no doubt."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's all for show." Kayla said softly as she finished buckling the thin sword belt around her waist. "He's a man that knows the importance of putting on a show."

She turned to look at her big brother, giving him a soft smile. Her dark hair had been pinned back, not loose as she normally wore it. A simple, dark dress of blue fell to the toes of her boots. She wore no jewelry save for her wedding band. Christopher had already approved of the outfit, save telling her to wear at least the small silver sword that Ulfric had presented to her after her fight for the throne.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Speakin' o' shows, you look th'part of an elegant queen o' warriors," Durban told her with a smile. "When you were little, I'd expected ye'd be the one out of us all t'become a proper court lady an' nothin' else. But ya became tha', an' a hell of a lot more." He kissed her cheek before welcoming her out to the main hall where she found a handful of jarls and their finest warriors decked out in armor with freshly-painted shields as if they were attending a ceremony for war heroes. They'd come to be Kayla's own show of force, the viking warriors that other countries had feared for centuries for their raiding along coasts.

Ulfric was among them. He was a proper knight of the realm, but unlike English knights in huge suits of gleaming armor, Norwegian knights wore leather and chain and only a few plates of armor. Heavy plate was too cumbersome. And over it all, most of them wore thick fur cloaks of one animal or another, speaking to their hunting prowess as well. Ulfric's was that of a mountain bear. They were all ready to show Makarikov that, though trying to remain neutral, they were not to be trifled with.

Kjotva had come to join in as well, having taken her usual seat at one side of Kayla's head table. She was dressed much like many of the warriors, but had left out all belts and fittings except her sword belt so not to be too tight against her belly, and she sported a battle skirt over trousers and tall boots. She still managed to retain an air of elegance, but she looked as able as any of the armored warriors.

 

[heartofcourage]

As Kayla stepped into the hall and saw her jarls and soldiers there, she knew that this would be a hard fight. They would go to war for her and for Norway.

"We will not back down from this fight." Kayla addressed them all in Norwegian. "We can't back down. This is our home and it is well worth fighting for. However, we must remain calm until our hand is forced. I will not allow needless fighting to happen."

 

[KieranSoares]

The warriors all bowed their heads before Kayla in understanding, one Jarl stepping forward. He had once been a Jarl opposed to Kayla, but was now among her greatest supporters. He was called Lokir Grimmsson, known for having the finest shipwrights and seafarers in Norway. It was vessels from his hold that filled the ports around the country for all manner of trade, protection, and fishing.

He in turn addressed her in Norwegian as well, bolstering her words and her confidence with a show of his own. "The Jarls of Norway are ready, milady. No swords will be drawn until a threat arises, or you give the word. Your men have sworn it." It was all part of hardening the resolve of the warriors present, who could sometimes lose their tempers at insults and spoken threats. Declaring their resolve out loud to Kayla would keep them in line with their oath to follow her lead and not endanger their fellow countrymen.

"Makarikov comes expecting to force us to choose a side," Ulfric spoke up, coming to stand beside Kayla. "Knowing his history, he will either try to buy our Queen, twist our sense of honor against Monomakh, or prod us into losing our tempers until we strike at him first. We are at peace with the majority of the Rus since our fight with Monomakh, who graciously accepted his defeat and all terms laid before him. I personally would rather not insult his honor by joining Makarikov, nor would any of us like to have a war on our hands against either side. We are to remain neutral unless forced."

After the warriors dispersed to take their seats, Ulfric turned to Kayla and Durban, handing over a letter to Kayla. "Monomakh sent me a very simple message, it arrived overnight. He says that if Makarikov threatens us and forces our hand, Kiev and the Rus still loyal to Monomakh will support us and try to keep Novgorod's forces away from the Triad as much as possible, but he will need some support of course. I have to admit... I'm relieved at his support."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He will forever be in our debt if we treat him with respect and kindness." Kayla said as she took the letter and gave it a brief glance. "I do not wish to bring him into a fight if we can help it. He is rebuilding his country as much as we are right now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Should it come to a fight, we can count on Lithuania and Mongolia to help us," Ulfric told her quietly. "And this time, we're ready."

"An' I can call on some friends o' the Ghis in China an' western Asia," Durban added, crossing his arms.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Norway will not fall. I worry about the people that will lose their lives and their homes in the time of war, however. I will always have that to worry about." Kayla said softly, looking between her brother and her most trusted advisor.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No, Norway won' fall," Durban agreed. "Because yer surrounded by people an' countries who care about you. Novgorod is a region, a small part of the Rus. It might be able to stand up to the Rus itself, but Makarikov can' hope t'win a war with opponents on all sides, land an' sea. You 'ave some o' the finest seafaring warriors in the north, an' the support o' the best footmen, cavalry, an' archers jus' a few letters away. Arslan alone comes from a culture known fer bein' able t'take whole countries in weeks. There's safety in numbers, an' Makarikov migh' have plenty of his own, but 'e can't stand against a force like Norway's allies."

"Hopefully it doesn't come to that," Ulfric murmured. "But I will not rule out the possibility until Makarikov signs a treaty of neutrality. Even then... we'd best keep our defenses up. He is known for treachery."