Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I hope y'know it's not charity," Sam murmured. "It's my parents' way of showing you they care from afar. They don' want to push yer boundaries but they want t'make sure you 'ave what you need." Straightening his jacket with his good hand, he looked back to Kennah. "I 'ave a lot o' work t'do... But I'll be back around tonight t'pick you two up. Tha' is, if y'like."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know." She said softly. "It's hard to remember that some people out there want to help me."

Glancing up at Sam as he offered to come and get Will and her, Fiona found herself nodding shyly. "That would be nice."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam stepped forward, taking her hand slowly. "Then... I'll see you this evenin'." He pressed a light kiss to her cheek, not pushing her boundaries or rushing back into what they'd started that night in the woods walking her home. He stepped back and climbed up on his drake's back once more, disappearing down the street.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was nervously pacing the floor that evening as she waited for Sam to appear. She had made Will dress in his best uniform, well groomed to meet the royal family of Inverness. She didn't care if he knew most of them already, she wanted him to make a good impression. She was wearing a new outfit herself, one that was the same color as her eyes. The dress was soft, well made, and she was surprised that they had spent that kind of money on her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Will stepped in during her pacing, his hair nicely combed. "Fiona, he's here." Sam was outside with a small carriage, his father having insisted on it to treat Fiona and Will like proper guests. Sam was in his full dress uniform, his cloak draped handsomely over the dark epaulets specially designed into every high Invernessian officer's jacket by Justin and his mother. His dark hair and beard were freshly trimmed and he looked focused and confident as ever until he saw Fiona, and he lost focus for a few seconds.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona wasn't expecting Sam to look so handsome and she certainly wasn't expecting her heart to skip a beat as he paused to look at her. What in the world was wrong with her, she thought to herself as he came closer.

"You didn't need to bring a carriage. We could have walked." Fiona said in that same stubborn tone that told him that she was trying so hard to be brave.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You could 'ave. But then what kind o' gentleman would I be?" Sam offered a small smile to Will too. "Evenin' lad," he said kindly before opening up the carriage door for them. It was a simple two-wheeled thing that was open in front to be able to talk to the driver. Sam helped them in before climbing up into the seat and setting the two horses on their way.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona didn't like carriages. She felt like she was boxed in when the door closed, but she said nothing as Sam took his seat and snapped the reigns. She still couldn't believe that all of this was happening for her. The Ghis family was trying to take care of her, something that her own family never could have done.

 

[KieranSoares]

The ride was thankfully quick, and they arrived about the same time that their family from the villages did. Leon and Dazu arrived with Lucy who'd grown into a gorgeous young lady full of life. Selena, as matriarch of her own side, arrived with Kreston and their children and Kreston's brother's family. Dayja, having grown nearly white and very frail since Volgo's passing a year before Kitty's, was along beside Taqu'un and Ellen with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You didn't tell me it was another family gathering." Fiona murmured as Will scurried out of the carriage and left her alone with Sam. "I'm not sure that I can handle the entire family in one room. What if they ask questions?"

Her blue eyes showed her fear that someone would ask her something that she wasn't prepared to answer. Questions about her life didn't bother her, but questions about Sam had her shaking in her seat.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It'll be okay," Sam promised her, taking her aside away from the entering crowd of extended family. "If anyone asks you anythin' yer not comfortable answerin', you don' have to answer. I promise no one'll take it personally. Besides, most don' get into other people's business. They know proper boundaries even if they do like t'be involved with th' rest of th'family."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Most." Fiona said as she leveled a glance at Sam. "That doesn't mean all."

It was all she said before she nodded silently and allowed him to escort her into the bustling hall. She had never seen a place so crowded, but it seemed that the Ghis were completely comfortable. They were laughing, catching up, enjoying one another. Fiona had never seen anything like it before. As they passed by one of the tables, the soft words of a young girl caught her attention.

"Dad, this is Will." Lucy said in her feather soft tone, introducing Will to Leon and Dazu. "We met in the village."

She had long ago started calling Leon 'Dad'. It suited the both of them after they had spent so much time together. She still remembered her Da and thought about him often, but Leon had long ago taken the place that Eli once held in her heart. She loved him like a father and knew that she owed her quiet childhood to him. Dazu, her uvore, was also the constant presence in her life, encouraging her to find her voice when there had been none.

Fiona chuckled as Will's eyes grew wide and he looked like a deer caught in a hunter's sights as Leon swiveled his head to stare at the boy that Lucy was introducing him to.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Will. So yer a ranger?" Leon asked, and it was almost like watching Sam drill a troublesome teen who'd been caught playing pranks and stealing sweets.

"Yes sir," Will said as confidently as he could, but his voice faltered on 'sir,' making Dazu chuckle.

"Eldere, be kind," Dazu reminded Leon softly with a hand on his broad shoulder.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Dad, he helped me carrying my pails of milk from the shed one day." Lucy tried to explain, aware that Leon was a little upset at the idea that she had even talked to a boy that he didn't know. "He was riding on patrol and stopped when I nearly dropped one."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Mhm. Thanks, lad," Leon shook his hand but it was clear he was still wary. Will eventually managed to talk to Lucy when Dazu pulled Leon away.

Meanwhile, Sam brought Fiona to his parents, more for their sake so they'd stop worrying about her. Brogan rose with a warm smile, welcoming Fiona into a kind embrace. "Welcome, lovely."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona went stiff when Brogan hugged her but she didn't pull away. He was being kind and the only other person who ever hugged her was her grandfather. It wasn't familiar and a large show of emotion made her slightly uncomfortable.

"Thank you for inviting me." Fiona said softly, pulling back the first chance that she got. "I wasn't expecting so many people. I feel bad for intruding on your family time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"This isn't jus' fer family, Fiona. We 'ave plenty o' good friends tha' come too," Brogan assured her. "I know it's a lot, but give it a chance. They don' bite. Well, Boar an' Leon do a little, but Selena'll keep 'em in line."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And thank you for the clothes." Fiona said, not mentioning the fact that they didn't need to do that for her.

She was trying her hardest to not balk at help from others. She knew that people cared about her, but she so badly wanted to be independent.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yer welcome, love." Brogan smiled, letting her go as he knew she was uncomfortable. Sam found them a seat near Ria and Gerald whom Fiona knew fairly well and might be more comfortable with. Ria had just given little Bridget back to Annie and she turned to Fiona with one of her usual confident smirks.

"Hey, look who showed up. I saw Will and I was wondering if you'd be here." As Ria spoke, Gerald turned too and gave Fiona a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I was invited and Sam wouldn't take no for an answer. I kind of had to come." Fiona said with a smile towards Ria. "And Will sounds like he's in a world of trouble with Sam's cousin about meeting his daughter. Serves him right."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Poor kid. Leon'll throttle him given half a chance." Ria looked toward Leon and Dazu with a chuckle. "But I think Lucy and Dazu will keep him in check."

 

[heartofcourage]

The room was full of loud conversation and laughter, the only people truly missing were Ashien and the Darkwood family and the royal family of Norway. Even Kayla and Aleister had made it with Jamie and Lynn, Kayla looking happy if a little tired and ready for their newest addition to get there.

Fiona was in awe of how they all got along, loving one another like a real family should. Time with her father was normally violent and her grandfather enjoyed a quiet life. Nothing in her life had prepared her for this.

"Will wants to take my name." Fiona mentioned to Sam, looking at him as she struggled to come up with something to talk about. "He said he would rather be a Blackstone than anything else."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Is there somethin' wrong with tha'?" Sam asked her curiously. "'Course... I don' know anythin' about 'is own family."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He doesn't talk about his family. I know he remembers them, but he doesn't like to think about them." Fiona said softly as Sam asked her if there was something wrong being a Blackstone. "Being related to Ephriam Blackstone is an honor. Being related to Owen is a curse. I guess sharing both of their blood balances out in the end. I wouldn't have my grandpa without my Da."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You still thinkin' of visiting Sweden?" He asked as the meal was served and Chessie and her cooks came around with the trays. "Will's Scandinavian too, isn' 'e? Is 'e going?"