Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I am. More'n I think they'll ever know," Sam murmured with a nod. He set the box of books down on the doorstep and faced Fiona with the small, kind smile that was starting to become familiar. "I'll see you soon, then. We still 'ave some things t'sort out. But there's no rush."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll be going with Invah to Scandinavia soon. We will have to take care of it before then." Fiona said as Sam smiled at her. "Perhaps this week, if possible."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then once it's over, y'can get back t' the life you were starting before th' Greeks came an' interrupted," Sam promised. "An' y'know... Justin's looking fer a new seamstress."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona paused as Sam told her that Justin was looking for a new seamstress. "Sam, I don't want to take a job just because he's a member of your family. I was thinking about trying to rent a stall at the market. Maybe I could sell just as much there as I could anywhere else. Hara has been asking about me as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Justin's Ma is in charge o' his shop. She's no' gonna hire you jus' because we like you. She cares too much about 'er business t'do tha'. This ain' charity. It's an opportunity. She could say no if she doesn' think yer what she needs," Sam insisted. "But I think y'could do well in th'market too if yer willin' t'deal with th'crowds an' sell t'people."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll think about it." Fiona said in her usual non-committal tone. "I promise. There's a lot to think about lately."

 

[KieranSoares]

"'R maybe ye'll avoid it jus' t'prove a point." Sam chuckled quietly and stepped forward to kiss her lips lightly. "I'd better get 'ome an' see th'night guard get t'their posts. Y'know yer welcome t'he keep anytime."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You know me too well." Fiona said with a smile as Sam pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "When things get more comfortable, perhaps you'll see me more there."

 

[KieranSoares]

"An' I promise I won' make you come t'the big dinners anymore if y'don't want to," Sam promised, his smile softening. "Goodnight, Fiona."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Good night, Sam." Fiona said softly as he gave her another smile and soon she picked up the box of books and entered the cabin.

The smile that broke out on her face was luminous and soon she had all of the volumes arranged on her small desk, along with the box that contained her grandfather's watch. It was lovely, she thought to herself, and she couldn't help taking a peek at it one more time. It was home where it belonged.

 

[KieranSoares]

The next morning, Will was off to join the rangers early to help with the slight short-staffing, leaving Fiona to her own devices. Stories about the recent happenings were all over town, and plenty of people were going to see Invah for the first time as she offered her help to a family building a new home on the edge of the forest.

 

[heartofcourage]

Having the morning to herself, Fiona read one of her new books in bed until she felt sufficiently lazy. After she had dressed in an old gown and her new boots, she went to find Invah. She brought the dragon a fresh baked apple pie, a meager bite for the large creature, but a nice offering none the less.

"Good afternoon, Invah." Fiona said with a smile as she saw the dragon for the first time in what felt like ages.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hello, darling," Invah turned after lifting one of the logs for the cabin into place without the slightest effort. It would make building incredibly fast, leaving the small tasks for the humans and werefolk. She left the project to come greet Fiona properly, lowering her head to press her maw to Fiona's arm fondly. "I was worried, to say the least."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Why worried?" Fiona asked as she hugged Invah's snout tightly. "You didn't think that I had disappeared forever, did you?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I would be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind," Invah murmured. "But I heard from little Heather that you were at the keep last night. How did that go?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Everyone was at the keep last night." Fiona said with a slight roll of her eyes. "They are nice, but I don't know if I'm ready for such a large crowd."

Taking a seat in the grass, Fiona set the pie aside and enjoyed the sunlight. "Sam surprised me. He found my grandfather's watch and had a set of his books made for me."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll bet that earned him a kiss," Invah chuckled, settling beside her, her long tail looping around them protectively. Her teal scales gleamed like jewels, uninhibited by her healing wounds.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It might have." Fiona admitted as her cheeks flushed red at the thought of kissing Sam. "I've never met someone like him before, Invah. He infuriates me sometimes, but he also makes me happy. My heart is calm when I'm near him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's a little rough around the edges," Invah agreed. "But he's a good man. And I can see the way he looks at you. He's finally found someone he wants to make happy, that's more important than working all the time."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Do you really think so?" Fiona asked softly, almost too afraid to believe that someone in her life wanted to love her unconditionally.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I do. And I know it must be a little frightening. Gods know I was terrified when I first fell in love." The tip of Invah's tail curled as she smiled at the memories of the early days of her love hundreds of years ago.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You nearly glow when you think about him." Fiona said with a smile as Invah's tail curled lazily. "My grandpa glowed when he told me stories of my Gran. He loved her dearly. He said that she was prettiest flower in all of Scotland."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's why I like this little corner of the world- love is important to people here. So many other places, marriage is all about power and making family ties to wealthy men. But here, for as long as Inverness has stood, people have taken the time to find a good partner. If not love, then at least a best friend to face the hard winters with."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We can bring your family back here. The people of Inverness would protect you, your husband and your children." Fiona said with a smile towards Invah. "A proper home together would do you all some good, I think."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd have to talk to them. My children have their own lives now. But if my mate is still alive... I think he'd like it here." She laid her head down beside Fiona. "What about you? We'll be away a long time."