Claymore and Dagger (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Dun loves you," Sam assured her. "An' I'm sure 'e'd appreciate no' bein' a military horse anymore. Tha's pretty stressful fer anyone, but him especially because I expected a lot out o' him. Kennah can keep up a little better, an' Dun's been enjoying 'is rest. He'll be fine." Sam kissed her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Thank you for giving him to me." Heather said in a sincere tone, humbled that her brother had thought about giving her the horse that he had spent so many years training. "Even Ashelin hasn't gotten a horse yet."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's because hers is still a secret," Sam whispered with a small smile. "Da's been training him fer a year."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Is that her surprise for our birthday?" Heather asked, her green eyes bright as Sam whispered that against her ear.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Mhm. And yers is just as special, but a little smaller. Ciaran an' I 'ave been workin' on it with Ma an' Justin." Of course her surprise was that David had already fitted a saddle for her with some additions made by Van, and Invah had kindly donated a few scales to decorate it in those patterns Heather loved. Julia and Justin had made the pattern and Sam, Ciaran, and Justin were putting it together and sewing it.

 

[heartofcourage]

Heather brightened again as Sam told her that there was a surprise for her as well. "Would you invite Invah to come to our party? I really want her here."

Invah was one of the few friends that Heather had who wasn't a family member. She had a hard time meeting new people and allowing people to get close. Invah was one of the first that she had found the courage to meet and get to know. And Fiona. She couldn't forget Fiona either.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You ought t'invite 'er yourself. She's always on th'banks o' the loch. Take Dun an' Vincenzo 'r Da fer a ride," Sam offered. "O' course, I imagine she an' Fiona'll be leavin' soon after t'visit Sweden. I'll try t'go with 'em."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You wouldn't miss our party." Heather insisted as Sam said that Fiona, Invah, and himself might leave soon for the mainland. "You've never missed our parties. And Ashelin will have all of her friends there. If you don't come, I won't have many people I know."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll go after," Sam promised her. "Invah wouldn' miss it either, but ye've got t'invite her first. See if y' can go down there after breakfast, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll ask Papa." Heather promised, brightening up considerable as Sam promised that they would stay for the twin's birthday celebration.

 

[KieranSoares]

Finally Naiya got the chance to talk to Julia, bringing Rho with her. She took a seat beside the Queen with a smile as Rho kissed his mother's cheek. "You've been asking to talk to her, so here she is," Rho smiled to his mother.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Don't think that your sly smile is going to make everything better." Julia said as Rho seated himself at her side with Naiya so that they could talk. "Naiya, please tell me that you don't put up with his roguish side."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He barely gets a chance to use it, dealing with mine all the time."

"She fancies herself Ria's apprentice," Rho explained, earning a smirk from his love.

"Watch yourself, little princeling. Your father already gave me permission to tan your hide when I see fit. But he's not wrong. Ria recently put me in charge of the trade her ships conduct with the Erygonian village. She knows I can haggle and sweet-talk the old men there."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'll need that skill when it comes to the Ghis men. They need to be sweet talked and coddled all of the time. It'll become your part time job." Julia said with a laugh as Brogan wrapped his arm around her waist.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That is, if he can convince me to marry him. He thinks he caught me for keeps, and he keeps trying to sweet-talk me." Naive grinned at Rho. "You still haven't made me an offer I can't refuse."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Never settle." Julia said with a smile towards Rho. "And you, Rhodan Brian, need to try harder. Shame on you for not being able to catch her for marriage."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Some girls don' want a throne, Rho. This lass is a woman o' the forest an' likes workin' with 'er hands. Ye'll be hard-pressed t'make a conventional Queen out o' her," Brogan chuckled.

"I can be polite and graceful when I want to be. But I'd rather sit at the tavern than on a throne," Naiya shrugged and Rho sighed.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You remind me of Kate. She still has a wild streak, but she has toned herself down for the sake of her country. You should talk to her when she and Kell return from their trip to Glasgow. She can give you so ideas on what it's like."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, it's not that I don't want to be a queen. Every little girl dreams of a chance to marry a prince. But he hasn't convinced me he's worth my trouble yet. If I'm going to be stuck with him the rest of my life, he'd better make it worth my time," she laughed at the look on Rho's face and kissed his cheek sweetly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She sounds just like kitten." Julia said as she looked towards Brogan with a smile, happy that Rho had found someone that made him incredibly happy. "I just ask that the both of you tell us when you decide to get married. There's no need to keep it a secret. Brogan and I would be more than happy to help you plan and pay for the event."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If I ever say yes- not that he hasn't asked a million times- we will," Naiya promised.

"Will you marry me now?" Rho asked with a hopeful smile.

"Not yet," Naiya kissed him before going to meet his other siblings. Rho could only chuckle and follow like a lovestruck fool.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona watched the two of them quietly, still holding Sam's hand as he spoke to Heather about riding. The family scene around them was slightly surreal, leaving her to wonder if this was really happening. Her own family was never like this, but she supposed that there were many different types out there.

"I don't know if I'd ever want to have a wedding." Fiona murmured softly to Sam, meeting his green gaze as she glanced towards him. "A marriage, yes. A wedding...I don't know."

 

[KieranSoares]

"At least in this family... Weddings're pretty fun. No' the dragging traditional ones." Sam then looked to her and offered a smile. "I know y'don' much like bein' th'center of attention."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess I'm not much of a romantic either." Fiona admitted, giving Sam a shy little smile. "Certainly not like the rest of your family is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The only true romantic 'ere now is my Ma. She took my Gran's place as the family matcymaker an' she turns every couple onto a pair o' soft lovebirds," Sam laughed. "She wants t'do the same t'me since she succeeded with Rho.