Sionnach (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Much as he tried, an' much as it hurts in the moment... Von Morden won't have a lasting effect on us. He'll be forgotten. We won't forget how to deal with men like him, but he'll be faceless, nameless, a nothing. And we'll be happy and home again soon. He lost everything, and we took everything back that he stole," Sam encouraged. "Our revenge is living on, an' never stooping to his level."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Never stoop to his level and take care of yourself," Fiona murmured as she gave a pointed look to Sam and then to Riley. "I know that you've been focused on me and how I'm doing, but I need both of you to be healthy as well."

"I'm trying but Da is stubborn." Riley said softly as her Ma chuckled.

"That he is, love."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's the only thing I'm good at." Sam murmured with a smile. "Bein' stubborn, an' maybe I'm gettin' pretty okay at takin' care of you, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

By the next morning, Fiona insisted on trying to walk. A team of healers, Sam, and Kell were all there to lift her out of bed and get her on her feet. It was excruciating, even with a crutch and the help of others, and Fiona had to admit that it wasn't going to be as easy as she thought. She had wanted to at least make it outside to see Schaller properly, but she could barely even get to the end of the hallway.

"I don't know if I can make it back," Fiona said, panting and holding Sam's hand tightly as if it were the only thing keeping her steady.

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's okay," Sam murmured, Kell at her opposite side as the healers watched and offered help when needed.

"I think you've done plenty for a woman who was shot less than a week ago," Kell agreed. He was about to offer to help carry her back when Sam picked her up on his own, careful not to put pressure where she couldn't take it as his arm hooked under her knees, and he slowly made his way not to her room, but outside where she'd been headed, Kell and the healers following.

Outside, a fresh blanket of snow from the previous night lay across the courtyard, but it was warmer than it had been, hinting that winter might not last too much longer.

Once out to some benches along the main path to the front doors, Kell laid his cloak on one and Sam carefully set Fiona down, letting her get comfortable before he used her whistle, which he'd been carrying while she was laid up, to call Schaller.

The great white dragon appeared from around the corner of the manor shortly, and came trotting over with eyes only for Fiona. The rest stepped out of the way as the great dragon automatically curled around Fiona and the bench she was perched on, nuzzling against her side.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona couldn't help the wide smile that broke over her face as Schaller appeared. She was in pain, but she could put that out of her mind the moment that Schaller curled around her and nuzzled against her side.

"I was going to walk all the way here to show everyone just how stubborn I could be." Fiona said as she leaned into Schaller's great maw. "But I had to stop halfway through. Sam made sure that I made it out to you, however."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Damned obstinate woman," Schaller grumbled, nuzzling into her as she leaned on him. His massive clawed hand and tail held her gently to the side of his maw, also serving to keep her warm as the fire ignited in his chest. He closed his great green eyes, simply enjoying the moment with the woman he'd nearly lost unexpectedly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's what Sam grumbles at me too," Fiona said softly as Schaller held her tightly and kept her warm, just as any dutiful partner would do. "And I'm sure that just like him, you'll never let me out of your sight again when we're on a mission."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not for a long while, especially considering what we're up against next. Even if victory is practically certain." Schaller sighed, glad to simply hold her a while. While he wasn't the sort of dragon to purr or show much in the way of emotion, there was a certain way he showed his contentment, as little tendrils of smoke and steam drifted from his nostrils, eyes closed as he was curled in around his Rider like a cat around a kitten.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I almost died. I suppose I did die. That hasn't really sunk in yet." She said softly as Schaller simply lay there in contentment. "For Sam and Riley it did, but for me, it just feels like I slept for a long while."

She closed her eyes and sank into the moment like a child that needed comfort. The warmth soothed her aches and pains and his presence soothed her wearing soul. Everything about him wrapped around her like her mother's blanket back in Trondheim.

 

[KieranSoares]

The healers and Kell left them be for the moment, while Sam stayed nearby without intruding. He knew the pair needed each other, just as much as he and Fiona needed each other. They were different kinds of relationships, but just as close, and Fiona was the love of each of their lives.

Schaller sighed as Fiona explained that she hadn't really come to terms with the idea that she had nearly died for good. "You're not allowed out of my sight in the field for a while," he grumbled. "And you're not going to pull any of the nonsense this time that you pulled two decades ago. I'll make sure of that when it comes time to fight."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll see how long that order lasts, old man." Fiona murmured as the sound of another dragon approaching drew her attention. Lifting her head she could see a familiar shape landing in the courtyard and she had to smile. "You called for Andre? You sentimental fool."

 

[KieranSoares]

Marth nearby was the first to greet Andre and Gia, the young dragon having developed quite the crush on the decade-older female. She didn't show anything in public beyond a nod of greeting as Andre slipped off the saddle with his satchel and approached Schaller, just barely able to see Fiona in the middle of all the white scales.

"That was fast," Schaller grunted at Andre. "I thought you were busy."

"Well, when someone tells you your girlfriend's mom might die, you drop everything," Andre half-joked with his uneven, charming grin. "But I see she made it." He stepped over Schaller's great claws and the dragon moved his tail aside as Andre came to Fiona's side. "Thank the Gods too, because I definitely wasn't ready to deal with how Riley might react, much less the entire Ghis Clan." He leaned down to hug Fiona gently with a sigh. "And I didn't want to lose one of my heroes either."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I stop breathing for a moment and the entire world acts like it's going to end." Fiona said as she hugged Andre in return. "And Riley has already had her revenge on von Morden. He's still recovering from the beating that she delivered."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Good, then she's less likely to beat me up." Andre smiled down at her as he brushed back his shaggy dark hair. "I'll distract her a while and get her out of her own head. Let me know if there's anything else I can help with at all. And I'm glad you're still with us. You mean too much to too many people- so of course we all fall apart when you get knocked down."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She's probably still asleep. She insists on taking the night watch to give her father a break." Fiona said as she pointed towards the manor house. "Tanya or Jani can show you where she is."

"Andre?" Fiona called before the young man could get too far away. "I'm glad that you came. You didn't have to drop everything."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tanya's still here?" Andre glanced toward the manor. "I would've expected her to head home right away... Then again, it's Tanya. I think we need to catch up. I'll let Ri sleep a little longer." He leaned down to kiss Fiona's cheek with one last smile before he headed off and Schaller curled around Fiona again, pressing his maw into her arms.

"You know he's going to make a ring with Samuel when we get back to Trondheim," Schaller muttered. "I wonder if he'll ask before, or after we cross the channel."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'd offer him my ring, but I don't think it's Riley's style. Besides, she's so rough that she would mangle it in an instant." Fiona said as she settled against Schaller yet again. "I'm glad to hear that he's asking for Sam's input. Riley means the world to him and he would do anything to make her happy."

Fiona went quiet then, talking to Schaller as they just enjoyed the moment. When she grew too tired, she called for Sam and welcomed him into the warmth of Schaller's scales. "I'd like the try the crutch again to see if I can at least make it back into the manor in a dignified way."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Not many're around t'see if it's undignified," Sam chuckled softly. Schaller easily lifted Fiona up to stand as Sam retrieved the crutch and got her steady, walking slowly alongside her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh, I'm sure that I could find some way to make it undignified for the few that are watching me." Fiona said as she leaned in and kissed Sam's cheek and then bid Schaller goodbye. "I'll expect your visit this evening when I'm bored and back in bed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be here," Schaller promised, following them to the door before finally going off to his own business.

As early evening set in, Riley was asleep in her own small side room close to Fiona's. Sam checked in every so often and the place was heavily guarded, so it was safe to sleep soundly. It wasn't til Riley felt a kiss pressed to her temple that anything woke her, and Andre's familiar scent of the woods and leather and dragonhide washed over her as his fingers combed back through her messy fur. "Hey," he whispered, setting a tray down on the nightstand. The smell of rich, roasted meat and vegetables began to fill the room, accompanied by fresh bread and warm cider.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley was startled by the kiss to her temple and the way that the bed dipped under someone's weight. Her Da never disturbed her unless there was an emergency, so she was utterly confused at first. As her brain cleared, she took in Andre's familiar scent and the smell of a meal that he had brought with him.

"You came?" Riley asked softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her.

 

[KieranSoares]

Andre chuckled, letting himself be pulled down onto the bed beside her. "Obviously," he muttered, pressing a kiss to her lips. "Schaller insisted. And I saw your Ma outside spending some time with him. Looks like she's doing pretty okay despite everything. So now my main concern is you." His fingers smoothed back through her fur again, til his arms wrapped around her and he laid his head on her shoulder, relaxing for a long moment. "I made dinner, so you can stay right here and talk to me all you need. Or not. Entirely up to you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"But you didn't have to come all this way. You said you had things to take care of in Trondheim."

Riley didn't argue as she snuggled against his side, the smell of his delicious food filling the room. "Schaller knew I needed help. It doesn't surprise me that he sent for you behind my back."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That old grump loves you so damned much," Andre chuckled softly. "I'm pretty sure the only comparable people are Rikke and your Ma." He looked up at her and murmured, "So I heard you nearly destroyed von Morden. I'm sure everyone's already talked about that with you. But if you need to talk about other things, vent, anything... That's what I'm here for. I know that must've scared the hell out of you, nearly losing your Ma."