Ghis (closed)

[heartofcourage]

“I know.” Julia said softly as Durban’s warm hand rested on her shoulder and she turned her gaze towards Brogan as he watched the entire scene silently. “And I don’t think I’ll ever be able to repay Brogan for what he did for me.”

She brushed her hand through his thick, dark hair, hoping that he knew what they were talking about. She would give anything to see her strong husband back on his feet. Yesterday morning seemed so far away at this point.

“We must find who did this. No one outside of this room will know of our plan. We must agree of that now.” Julia said softly as she turned to look at Valentina and Durban. “The more involved, the more likely loose lips will destroy the entire plan.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"If it helps at all, according to the herbs Durban used, that poison came from a particular plant in the Inverlochly area."

It was just about then that Brogan muttered something incoherent. Durban leaned down, "What is it, brother?"

Again, Brogan managed to speak that single word, and Durban sat up with a dark frown on his face. "Emma... Where's Boar?" He stood quickly.

"He hasn't returned yet, but I don't know where he went," Valentina answered, looking a bit confused by Durban's anger. "Why?"

"Brogan thinks it was Emma, an' I know why. Tha' woman'd do anythin' t'be a Queen. If Brogan's righ'... She tried t'kill Julia t'break him so he'd give up th'throne t'Boar."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Boar said he had some things to take care of in Inverlochly. He left Emma here until he returned.” Julia said, frowning when Emma’s name suddenly came up as that of the poisoner

“Durban, you can’t do anything rash. She’s pregnant with your niece or nephew.” Julia said, afraid that revenge would be sought then and there. “Besides, we can’t be for certain that it was her, no matter what people think.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not doing anythin' til Boar's back. I know 'ow t'make 'im give away secrets, I always 'ave." Durban rose, but then paused, "Do me a favor, Julia. 'Ave Val test everythin' before you 'r Brogan eat 'r drink til we figure out who's responsible. We can' 'ave this 'appenin' again." With that, he went to speak to Emma. He wouldn't accuse her of anything, only go to see how she was reacting to the recent events.

He came to tap on her door, "Emma. It's Durban."

 

[heartofcourage]

When Emma pulled open the door, Durban was greeted with a pair of red rimmed eyes, her handkerchief pressed tightly to her lips as she sniffed back a sob. She’d been crying, that much was apparent, but why was another matter.

“Have you heard from Boar? I’ve been waiting for news from him for a long while.” She murmured to her brother-in-law, her hand stroking over her swollen belly as if to calm the kicking child within.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I haven't..." Durban raised an eyebrow, "What's th' matter?" He was concerned with what could possibly upset Emma so. "'E should be back soon, Val thinks." Durban had never liked her, but she was still family for now.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I haven’t heard from him since he left. I’m worried that something has happened to him.” Emma said, sobbing again into her handkerchief.

She was always a woman that played her cards close to her chest, but the sudden birth of Marri’s son and the failed attempts on Julia’s life had spooked her enough that she wanted her husband there by her side.

 

[KieranSoares]

Durban sighed, "Well, bein' by yer lonesome ain' gonna 'elp you. Y'should come on out." But luckily for Emma, she saw beyond Durban's shoulder as her husband rounded the corner, looking exhausted. His tunic was torn in a few places and stained with dried blood, and in the tears of his shirt, she could see the white of bandages.

"Emma, love," Boar called, and Durban stepped out of the way as his younger brother came to hug his wife tight, though he was sure to be gentle with her. He looked run-down and beaten up close. Something had gone dreadfully wrong on his way home.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma sobbed even harder as she caught sight of Boar and she was in his arms a moment later, her face buried against his throat. She didn’t want to tell him that she had failed in her goal of killing Julia and it seemed that the situation with Wick had gone incredibly wrong.

“What happened? Why didn’t you write?” Emma asked in a gasping tone through the tears that still flowed freely.

 

[KieranSoares]

Once Durban had let them alone, Boar brought Emma back into their room, "I'm sorry, love... I ne'er got th'chance." He sat down on the edge of their bed with her on his lap and he wrapped her once more in the protective circle of his arms. "I gave Wick our deal... an' they chased me 'cross th' Highlands. Their King said 'e intended t'kill the whole Ghis family, not jus' Brogan... Said I was next... 'Is men cornered me 'gainst the flank of th'army 'ere, I barely got out... but they're goin' t'tell anyone who'll listen t'morrow about us, love... T'break apart th'family an' weaken Brogan. The King o' Wick's a crafty bastard... 'E's plannin' t'get rid o' me an' 'urt Brogan at the same time..."

Meeting her eyes once more, Boar sighed, "Listen, love... I think... I think we need t'stop this, fer our own sake an' th' baby's. Maybe if we come clean an' drop this plan, Brogan'll fergive us an' won' let Wick 'urt you at th' very least."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Brogan was poisoned.” Emma said as Boar told her that their entire plan was about to be exposed. “He drank the ale intended for Julia.”

She was upset that her little plan had failed so miserably, but she was even more upset that her husband had almost been killed. She might have been a vile woman that wanted title and position, but she really did love Boar.

“He’ll probably kill us all now, Boar.” She said softly, a fresh wave of tears coming to her eyes as she thought about possibly being put to death.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Brogan won't if we come clean... 'e's a good man, better King than I'd ever be... At th'worst, 'e'll only exile us. We can make it, love, we jus' 'ave t'stop this." He brought her hand up to kiss it gently, "I'm sorry, love... but we gotta stop b'fore we ruin th'baby's future an' our own."

"Brogan already knows," they heard the voice of Durban, who swung the door open and crossed his arms. He'd heard it all. "You two're at Julia's and my mercy now."

Boar set Emma on the bed beside him and rose, facing his eldest brother, trembling because he knew he couldn't do a damn thing against his powerful sibling. "Don' you dare 'urt Emma..."

"Wouldn' dream o' it. I ain' a monster. Now both o' you, come wi' me. Yer gonna 'ave a talk wi' me' 'n' Julia." Behind him stood several of Brogan's own warriors. Tricks would not work this time. Boar looked back to Emma and she could see the fear in his eyes, but also the determination. If things turned for the worse, he'd die before he let her be hurt.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma stiffened as she heard Durban’s voice break the silence of the room, informing them both that Brogan already knew. Boar was up in an instant, defending her though he shivered with fear. They were about to walk to their doom if Durban and Julia were to decide their fates. Durban hated her and she was sure that Julia thought much the same of her sister-in-law.

“Of course.” She said softly as she stood from her spot on the bed and took Boar’s hand, squeezing it tightly as they followed behind Durban and the other warriors to where Julia waited for them.

 

[KieranSoares]

Durban had, in his moment away from the couple, informed Julia of Boar's arrival, and that they all needed to sit down and have a talk. Brogan was left to Valentina's care as he was stable, and the great hall was silent as Durban, Boar, and Emma entered to find Julia waiting for them with Cole at her side as a guardian.

Durban joined Julia's side after pulling up chairs for his brother and other sister-in-law, and he leaned over, telling Julia what he'd heard from the two. Now she knew for certain that the two were traitors.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia sat there, definitely the queen of this land. She eyed Boar and Emma as they both took a seat, flanked by guards. She listened stoically to Durban as he relayed the information that the two had confessed to being traitors and poisoning Brogan. She sucked in a deep breath, steadying herself for what she was about to do.

“Since you have admitted to the most heinous of acts, I don’t think I have any choice but to punish you both.” Julia said, folding her hands together in front of her. “Since there is a child in this situation that we must think about, the punishment will not include death. But mark my words, it will not be easy.”

She glanced towards Cole at that moment, catching his eyes and nodding a moment before she turned back towards the two seated before her. “Since you cannot be trusted by yourselves for the time being, Inverlochly is lost to you. I will place it in Durban’s care until such a time that we deem it fit to give back. You will stay here in Inverness, under arrest, living in Ciaran’s old home.”

“Boar, you will work every single day until your child is born in the lumber camp. Emma, you may not set foot off the property until that day either. When the child is born, Brogan will then decide your fate.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar felt himself let go an involuntary sigh of relief. He knew how Julia loved Brogan, and he was honestly surprised that Julia didn't kill him and imprison Emma. But it didn't relax the fear of Brogan. Boar knew that Brogan was the one among them most like their mother, but he was the one most like their father too.

"You're too kind..." Boar said softly.

"Yes she is, an' yer bloody lucky," Durban growled, making Boar cower back a bit.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Cole, would you be so kind as to escort these two to their new accommodations?” Julia asked, looking up at Ciaran’s brother as Emma and her brother-in-law stood.

She sat there impassively until they had left before she sank back into her seat and let out a long, tired sigh. She wasn’t made to be the person that decided other people’s fate. She found it distasteful, even though no one would argue with what she’d just decided.

“Now, I think we should wash this distasteful taste from our mouths by seeing little Seamus.” She said, looking to Durban with a small smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Soun's fine t'me," Durban rose and took Julia's hand, walking with her to Marri's room. Marri was fast asleep with her two older children, but Seamus was awake, squirming in his crib. Durban lifted him from the soft bed with a smile. "'Ey, lad, yer supposed t'be sleepin'," he spoke in a quiet voice. He was immensely proud of how strong his son already was. He was proud of all his children.

He passed young Seamus to Julia's arms and chuckled as the boy finally settled. "Looks like 'e jus' wanted a lovely lass t'hold him."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia smiled as she watched the hulking man that was Durban Ghis gently lift his infant son from his crib as the baby squirmed and wiggled. She could see the pride in the man’s gaze as he talked to the baby, turning towards her to place the baby in her arms.

Julia gazed down at her nephew with a smile on her lips, taking in the thatch of dark hair on his head and the dark eyes that watched her so intently. He was a handsome little boy, one that would probably conquer many hearts in his day age.

“He wouldn’t be a Ghis if he didn’t want a lass.” Julia said softly, leaning down to kiss the baby’s soft forehead. “You are so incredibly lucky to have a family that loves you so.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Durban knew Julia's beginnings from Brogan, and he wrapped her in a hug, "So're you, Julia." She was a part of the Ghis family, so dearly beloved by them all that it was as if she'd always been a part of the clan. None of them cared what had happened in the past. "An' so'll be yer own children."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia sighed softly as Durban wrapped her in a tight, warm hug, telling her that she had a family that loved her and her children would as well. She wondered when that day would be. She hoped it would be soon that she started her family with Brogan, but with all the danger around, it was probably for the best that she wasn’t with child yet.

“I know.” She said softly, staring down at little Seamus as he yawned loudly and smacked his lips, sighing as he sank into a peaceful sleep. “I suppose I better get back to Brogan. Thank you for letting me hold him.”

She gave Durban a smile and gently placed his son back in his arms, kissing her brother-in-law’s cheek before she left him in peace. Marri let out a sigh and rolled from her side to watch her husband cradling their son. She gave him a sleepy smile and rubbed a hand against her eyes.

“He’s a handsome lad, isn’t he?” Marri asked softly, careful not to wake the other children that were sleeping just a short distance away.

 

[KieranSoares]

"'E is, jus' like 'is Da, aye?" He knelt beside her, laying Seamus on the bed beside her where he happily slept. "But 'e's only tha' way because 'is beautiful Ma made 'im so." Leaning in, Durban kissed his beloved wife. He'd gone through a great deal that his family didn't know of, to have Marri as his own.

"Ya remember 'ow we met?" He laid a hand on her cheek. "Sittin' at th' tavern in Caernarvon... I thought th' barmaid was an angel. An' she was. Now she's m'wife."

 

[heartofcourage]

Marri laughed softly as Durban leaned in and kissed her, placing Seamus gently at her side. She let out a little sigh as he pressed his palm against her cheek, talking about the night that they had met. She remembered it like yesterday.

“And you were just as romantic then as you are now.” She said softly, leaning forward to kiss him again. “I also remember that you could barely keep your hands to yourself. Maybe that’s why we were expecting little Gabriel only two weeks after we met.”

She had loved Durban since the first moment that she had seen him in that tavern. Now she was married with three beautiful children. It was like a dream come true.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not m'fault you're prettier 'n' a rose in the moonlight," he rested his head on the edge of the bed with a content sigh. "So are ya sure y'want t'settle 'ere in Inverness? I know we've been talkin' about it fer a while, but we'll be able t'make a decision soon as Brogan's back on 'is feet."

 

[heartofcourage]

“I think it’s time, love.” She said softly, stroking her hand through her husband’s thick hair. “We need a permanent home and I think it’s time Gabriel started to learn about his family.”

She knew that Durban had a hard time talking about his father and his life as a child, but since Brogan had taken over as King, it seemed that Inverness had prospered. It was time for their family to stop running and make a place that they could continue to grow.

“Besides, I know Kitty will like having you near. She is so frail, love. I’m sure Elise can help her out during the days as much as she can.”