Sionnach (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I will be thoroughly vetting them before you ever climb into a saddle." Fiona insisted, nuzzling against Sam as one of her uncles called for the two of them as more family gathered. "I guess we have to go."

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll get lost in the woods tonight," Sam promised her quietly, standing from the bed and pulling back his hair and straightening his clothes before they emerged.

Sam was quick to scoop up Tati with a smile, kissing her forehead and letting her go to Fiona. Seeing Soma and Riley seemingly comfortable with one another again, Sam gave Riley a nod of approval before turning to help Rhett bring the last of the feast out. Jani and Dola were present too, both considered part of the family between Jani's longtime relationship with the clan and Dola's fast friendship with Fiona's uncles and Rhett in particular.

Dzana was nearby, Fiona's family having practically taken her in since she'd come to the valley and provided additional protection. Sveri wasn't there, likely with Glaynviahr to give Dzana a break. That spoke to the trust Dzana was beginning to learn for not just the other dragon, but for the people of the village.

The feast was even bigger than usual, partly to make up for new additions, but also because the village had had a good year, and Rhett was the center of compliments alongside Dola who'd also contributed a fair portion. Jani was the proud wife, bragging of Dola's skills and how Dola was making her have to train harder than ever to stay in shape with her amazing cooking.

Andre watched the whole scene from beside Riley with a silly grin on his face. He watched his quiet, gorgeous, shy mother smile so bashfully but gracefully accept the compliments and implore Jani quietly not to make such a big deal of it all. Juno and Voluun teased Jani endlessly about how she'd nagged on people for years about being fools in love. Jani simply countered that she wouldn't blame anyone for being blind in love if Dola was their beau. Dola simply smiled, clearly right at home and beloved in a way she'd never had since she'd left Tibet.

Andre leaned into Riley's shoulder, muttering, "She's so happy... I never thought I'd see that." Reaching over, he pulled Riley closer to kiss her cheek. "Thank you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"For what?" Riley asked as she looked over at Andre in confusion. "I didn't do anything."

The silly grin and the nostalgic look in his eyes told her that he thought that she had done all of this and more for his family. "I chased you into Godforsaken Germany, but Uncle Kell was the one that helped to get your Ma's freedom."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Obviously I'll be thanking everyone involved for the rest of my life. But you started it. You and Joachim helped me and my boys break out of that awful life. You came to save me when I was captured. You loved me when I was a terrified mess... and you just let me be who I want to be, and dream and explore and try everything." Andre pressed a kiss to her lips. "You're the heart of it all, and why I'm even here to see my mother free, in love, and happy.

 

[heartofcourage]

Riley kissed him one more time when he pulled away and then gave him a small smile and shook her head. "Don't be a sap." She said softly before she nuzzled against him.

Fiona came up to Rhett's side as he surveyed his handiwork on the table. "I insist on paying you back for all of this." She said softly as she wrapped an arm around his waist and hugged her uncle tightly. "Uka and mormor would be so happy to know that you're still taking care of all of us."

 

[KieranSoares]

Rhett shook his head when Fiona insisted on paying, and smiled as he looped an arm around her in turn. Gazing out over everyone there, his smile softened to see faces new and old.

Soon he drew back to sign, 'I knew the family would always keep growing, but I never thought it'd get this big, or that almost everyone would get along so well.'

 

[heartofcourage]

'You never thought it would get this big? Each of you, except Yul, have had a whole passel of children. Myself included." Fiona said with a chuckle. "And then you welcomed my Da back with open arms. It's your own fault."

 

[KieranSoares]

Rhett rolled his eyes with a little chuckle, signing back, 'I knew it'd grow, but I didn't expect the entire Ghis clan and then all the strays you pick up.' He motioned to Jani at that. He adored Jani and the Riders who were close with the family.

Gesturing toward the spread of food, Rhett signed again, 'Get a plate, we'll need all the help we can to eat all of this. Once everyone's had their share, we'll have the young ones take the leftovers to the longhouse to share with the village.'

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona chuckled and kissed Rhett's cheek before she did as she was told and led the line to fill her plate. She settled next to Sam, relaxing with her husband and Tati and forcing herself to focus on her family and not on the task that was before them all. When Owen arrived, she welcomed him to their little group with his own plate of food.

"You're late. Is everything alright?" Fiona asked as she glanced at her father.

 

[KieranSoares]

"All fine," Owen assured her with a kiss to her forehead. "Just looking after Orion and Kesh. I'm just old and slow."

As he took his seat, he pulled Tati close and nuzzled against her. "I've been keeping busy with some new projects, but we'll talk about those later."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You...already went?" Tati asked as Owen pulled her against his size and nuzzled her. "I wanted...to go too."

Fiona looked between the two of them with her brow furrowed. "You went on a trip? Da, it's not really safe to travel very far at the moment. Especially not for members of close family of mine. You need to stay put. I don't mean to nag, but I don't want you getting hurt or killed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn't go too far, but I didn't take Tati for a reason." Owen ran his fingers through Tati's fur and smiled gently. "I stopped through the haven and a few places nearby, and Orion and Kesh and I have been doing a lot of hunting. Dzana's been kind enough to contribute as well." Tati knew Owen had started working on a proper, personalized saddle for her, but he'd kept it quiet from Fiona knowing she'd only worry. "But I'm done running around for a good while until we go home. I've decided that when it's safe to return, I'll be returning to Scotland. And some of the Voya may go as well, both to help and to have a fresh start."

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona gave her father a long and appraising look as he insisted that he hadn’t gone very far in his travels. “We’ll talk about where you’ve really been later.” She said softly as she returned to her plate of food.

“I won’t...tell.” Tati said with a sly little grin to her grandfather.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm a big boy, Fiona. I can travel safely, I never go alone." Owen smiled and returned to his plate as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

“Mama...you worry...too much.” Tati scolded her mother as Owen ended their conversation.

“I come by it honestly, little one.” Fiona said as she gave both Sam and Owen a glare. “And don’t let the two of these spoil sports cloud your opinions of me. I worry because I care.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn't say a word," Sam muttered with a shrug as Owen simply smiled.

Juno and Jani were the life of the gathering as per usual, and eventually a bonfire was lit nearby for everyone to gather around. A number of villagers who were friends of the family came to join too, some bringing sweets to contribute. By the time the fire began to burn low well after dark, everyone was tired out and in good spirits. Dola escorted a slightly-tipsy Jani away to their camp, Fiona's family helped clean things up, and Glaynviahr came by with Sveri to drop her off and to give rides to a few people who were older or lived further away. Orion came to pick up Owen, making sure he got back to his cabin without any issues in the dark.

When the last visitors were gone, Rhett shooed the rest of the family to bed, only a few staying out to finish drinks or watch the stars and dying fire. Sam had stolen Fiona's attention. Even if they were tired, he wanted to make the most of their time. They hadn't wandered far before Sam settled at the foot of a tree and pulled Fiona into his lap. It wasn't unlike their nights beneath their tree back in Scotland. Even when they'd been busy, they'd found clear evenings like this one to retreat to the clifftop and simply enjoy the peace.

Sam let out a quiet sight, his head resting back against the trunk and his eyes closed. He let the silence stand a while before murmuring, "It's good t'be away from everything again."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’ve grown to enjoy your solitude.” Fiona said as she nuzzled against her husband’s neck as they both relaxed. “Whether it be in the forge or in the woods. You just like to be alone.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"I just appreciate the quiet," Sam murmured, lifting a hand to brush her hair back as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm trying to enjoy as much of it as I can before we dive back into never havin' any peace again fer years."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re sure this is what you want then?” Fiona asked as he absently stroked her hair. “You don’t have to go beyond the invasion, love. Soma and I can handle the throne. You can be a simple blacksmith with a simple life.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"No. I still 'ave things t'do, an' I have t'help Soma prepare. I won' leave it all on th'two of you, especially because I know you. Yer jus' as bad as I am when it comes t'working too much."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Stubborn Ghis.” Fiona said as she pulled Sam down into a proper kiss, her fingers curling into his thick hair.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Only t'match a stubborn Blackstone," he chuckled, leaning into her kiss and cupping her cheek. When their lips parted he let his forehead rest against hers. "I love you, darlin'."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re sure about that?” Fiona asked with a slight curl to her lips. “It took me an awful long time to convince you that you could love someone.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Shush," Sam grumbled, letting his head lean back again while his arms remained wrapped around her securely, teasing back with a little smile, "I said I appreciate the quiet."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You know you never complain with any noises I make.” She was cut short as those strong arms squeezed her tightly and she lost her breath. “You rotten sneak.”