Sionnach (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Well, we're lucky that I know the rulers of most of the countries on this continent. I'm sure that I could pull a few strings." Fiona said with a gentle smile. "Food will be here soon. It's a nice enough evening that we can eat outside. If you feel up to it, that is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' want anyone pityin' me. But it'll be good t'spend some time together." He rose stiffly with a sigh. "There's so many people who'll never see Inverness again... Those who loved it as home, an' those who loved it as a quiet little hideaway an' haven... Naiya, Cole, Gabriel, Ashien, Sarah..." He shook his head before stating firmly but quietly, "But some piece o' each person will make it home."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I made a promise to each of my children on the day that they were born that they would run in those same woods that Sam and I did. I'm going to keep that promise, even if it kills me." Fiona said as she squeezed his hand tightly. "And you'll see it yourself one day. Along with everything that you had to leave behind."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I always told Julia an' Sam... if I don' make it home, jus' make sure my blade does," Brogan said with a small smile. "Tha's all I need. Knowin' my children make it home, an' carry my an' my Da's blade." He then followed her outside where family was beginning to gather. News was getting around, and Brogan found his strength with his brothers and sisters and their spouses.

 

[heartofcourage]

As the Ghis gathered, Fiona found her way to Sam's side. She wrapped her arm around his waist and leaned into his broad chest. She gave him a small smile, watching as Brogan let the rest of his family comfort him and share in their feelings and thoughts of Sarah.

"He just needed a little push." Fiona said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Between you, Riley, an' Ma, he jus' needed some strong women t'pull 'im up," Sam agreed, his arms draping around her easily as she came to lean into him. Stealing a light kiss, he pressed his forehead to hers. "Don' know what we'd do without you, other'n be useless."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'd probably still be in Scotland, leading a boring life of law and order." Fiona said with a grin as Sam held her and kissed her while the others set up tables and prepared for Rhett and Yul to deliver the food and Riley and Andre to return with ale and wine.

 

[KieranSoares]

As everyone arrived, the mood began to lift. With plans ahead to have everyone in Trondheim come autumn, there were things to look forward to and plan. But as everyone sat down to eat, the two last stragglers arrived. Trying to hide a blush as Dola led her along, Jani followed into the gathering and earned plenty of teasing and cheers as Dola now wore a beautiful ring and was quite happy to show it off to her new family.

Jani and Dola found seats among Sam and Fiona's table. But before Dola settled, she came to Sam and pressed a kiss to his cheek, hands resting on his shoulders. "It's beautiful, Samuel," she complimented softly in her native tongue. "If you have a free moment sometime, I would love to commission you and show you my ideas for a matching ring for Jani."

"Anytime, love," Sam assured, kissing her cheek in return before she returned to a beet-red Jani being teased by Andre and Brogan.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Well, well, well...after years of torturing all of us for becoming boring in marriage and slow with children, Jani will finally know what it’s like.” Fiona said with a grin as food was divided out among the tables.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hell no," Jani scoffed. "I'll still outdo all of you." She said this without letting go Dola's hand, only to blush again and go silent as Dola kissed her to quiet her stubborn resistance.

"I'm sure you will," Dola murmured with a smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Andre, I leave it up to you to make her life a living hell." Fiona continued as Jani balked at the idea that she would be like the rest of them. "And then when the two of you have a kit of your own, Jani will be the one caring for it as you go off adventuring."

 

[KieranSoares]

Jani's eyes grew wide as she realized what she might've just gotten herself into. "Oh, Jesus... Andre, I beg you, don't leave me in charge of a kid."

"I'll teach you," Dola assured gently, giving Jani's hand a squeeze.

"We'll see. Maybe someday, just to spite you," Andre teased Jani with a grin. "Maybe we'll see how much worse you can do than Riley."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Hey, I won't do terrible. Just maybe not as good as Ma." Riley countered, which made Fiona look over at her with a small smile on her face.

"So you admit that it wasn't all bad?" Fiona asked as she poured herself a mug of ale.

"I didn't say that either. Just that you didn't do a bad job raising us." Riley murmured, not ready to admit anything more as Kate stood up from her father's side and got everyone's attention.

""Alright, you sorry lot." She said as she stood on her chair to be where everyone could see her. "We're gathered here tonight to feast to the life of Sarah Monaghan, high queen of Ireland. Pain in our asses and constant defender. Without her in our lives, our family would look much different than it does now."

Kate looked down towards her Da and gave him a small smile after she said that. "I know you're hurting with the news, but she's in a place now where people that brought her happiness reside. Her husband and her son, her protector, her parents, and the sister that she could never forget. It's sad that she's gone as she was such a force, and I know many of you are thinking about your own future now, but we still have a ways to go before any of us are in the ground. For now, we're raising our glass to Sarah."

 

[KieranSoares]

A cacophony of agreements and a sea of raised tankards answered Kate's call, and a toast was given to the family's long, complicated, but in the end, loving relationship with not only Sarah, but her entire family, and to the coming new King who would be crowned in her place. With her son having no interest in the throne, it would fall to her grandson who was attached to her from the day he was born, and had proven himself a worthy successor.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia stayed close to Brogan's side, keeping him company and making sure that his depression didn't grow too great. It helped that Heather offered him little Malcolm as a distraction, the baby as happy a lad as any of them had been.

"I dare say he's nearly doubled in size since you've been here." Julia said as Brogan held the baby and Heather gave them both a serene smile.

"Koralo says the same." Heather said with a chuckle.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan seemed at ease with little Malcolm resting against his chest, both quiet and content to simply exist in the moment. But Brogan reached out a free hand to take Heather's with a smile. "You've done real well fer yourself, lass. I'm proud."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, that's all thanks to you." Heather said as she squeezed her father's hand while the food was dished up for everyone. "You made sure that I would have a future, even without sight. You didn't even put up too much of a fuss when Koralo wanted to steal me away."

Heather could feel her husband chuckle next to her, the dragon normally reserved with little to say. They had a lovely little life together.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah. I held yer hand a little while, but you did th'buildin'. An' Koralo never stole you away, he helped ya find yer passion." Brogan encouraged her to eat, easily able to look after Malcolm with Julia to give the couple a chance to focus on themselves a moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

The family was subdued for a while before the ale made them loosen up. When it became a loud and boisterous Ghis party, everyone was much more at ease. Instruments were brought out and dancing began. Fiona even let Sam pull her out for a dance or two, wanting him to have a good time and knowing that it was a little sacrifice for his happiness.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam showed Fiona off just as he loved to do, always encouraging her that she was a sight to behold when they danced. And anytime she gave in to dance, his uncles always asked as well. It was a long-standing, beloved tradition.

As the dancing went on, Riley felt a hand take hers as Andre found her side again. "Hey. Wanna dance?" He asked with a little grin. "I'm not great, but Joachim taught me a little."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm rubbish at it." Riley said as Andre took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "But, I won't say no."

She leaned in and kissed him with a grin. "After all, I can't be that much worse than my Ma."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm not sure many people can be much better than your Ma," he chuckled, glancing over to Fiona who was currently dancing flawlessly with Kell, a fantastic dancer in his own right.

As they joined in, Andre proved he had a basic knowledge but anytime they messed up, it was met with laughter and joy rather than frustration. And Andre had to watch as his mother occasionally passed by, swept along by Jani who was rather good herself after being with the Ghis family for twenty years.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley held onto Andre as they stumbled through it all together, laughing and having a good time. It was what they needed to lighten the mood after such bad news. The rest of the family had the same sentiment, it seemed.

Halfway through the meal, Fiona begged for rest from the constant line of her husband's family. She was getting a new mug of ale when she saw Soma arrive and she gave him a smile.

"I'm glad you joined us." Fiona said as she kissed his cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, someone decided to actually come up and tell me," Soma chuckled lightly, greeting his mother with a kiss to her cheek in return. "Thanks for giving me some time on my own. I needed it."

Sam spotted his son from afar and stepped over to hug the now-lanky, lean boy who would someday contend with him in height. "Hiya lad. Everyone's been askin' about you."

"I'm here for now," Soma assured. "But I'm really enjoying time with Dzana... There's a lot more to her than she lets on. Not that that's a surprise."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You made it clear that you wanted to grow up. I'm just trying to give you the space to explore properly." Fiona said softly as Soma thanked her for the time alone. "But we're all still here when you need us. Never forget that."