The North (Closed)

[heartofcourage]

“You did it to yourself, so I don’t feel the least bit sorry.” Fiona said with a chuckle, kissing Sam’s cheek.

Plans were in motion for a wedding the moment that Riley told her grandmother. Julia and Dola met with the couple and started to hammer out the details that would marry both Ghis tradition and Dola’s tribal traditions.

“I don’t really care for a gown or flowers.” Riley said as Julia wrote down ideas for the occasion. “I just want something simple.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"And you, Koah?" Dola asked her son as she sat beside Julia.

Andre, leaning back in his seat beside Riley, nodded. "Simple would be best, that way no one has to spend extra time cleaning things up or storing special clothes. You know me, Ma, I'm most concerned with the food and drink. I do want to try to bring some of our favorites from Tibet and Greece."

"The London market has everything I'd need for that," Dola confirmed with a nod. "And we could use Marth and Gia's help hunting down enough venison for everyone."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re Ma wore a beautiful white cape. You could do the same.” Julia said, looking up at Riley.

“Gran, I’d probably destroy it before I made it to the alter.” Riley murmured as she looked over at Andre. “Maybe something colorful? Something from the Voya?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Let me show you some things," Dola offered, pulling over a small trunk she'd brought. Opening it up, she pulled out a beautifully-embroidered and beaded jacket made of soft hide. It was covered in sprawling floral and mountain designs with tiny mountain beasts interwoven. Across the back was a stylized representation of Mount Everest ringed in trees and flowers and capped with snow. It matched the style of many of Andre's tattoos, but in vibrant colored threat with the occasional glass or bronze beads.

Andre's jaw practically dropped at seeing the item. "Ma... how did you get that?"

"It came back with some letters from home. Your grandfather wore this at his wedding, and his father before him. It's nearly a century old. I added a few things. It's tradition to add more to the stories with each new marriage. For you and Riley, I added this." She showed them on the left sleeve where a dark fox and a blue wolf were running side-by-side. Most of the animals on the jacket were related to types of werefolk, and they could see they were all in pairs, save for a few groups of three and four.

"You added yourself and Jani," Andre remarked with a little chuckle, showing Riley the small white wolf and the taller black wolf beside.

"This is my people's tradition. I think it would be lovely to compliment it with Voya culture."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've resigned myself to the fact that Andre will be the most handsome creature there and I'll look like a gremlin." Riley said as Dola showed off the beaded coat, giving Andre a grin as Julia watched the couple.

"Well, if not a gown and if not white, then how about some of your great-gran's tartan? I've got a lovely cloak and Ghis pin you could borrow." Julia offered as Riley considered it. "And yellow beneath for the Voya. I think you would make a lovely bride."

"I think that could work." Riley agreed, looking towards Andre for input and approval.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I like that idea," Andre agreed. "And you're gonna look lovely. Just let these ladies work and it'll be great."

"I enjoyed working with Julia for my wedding," Dola said softly with a fond smile to the older woman. They tended to have a similar calm energy, so they made good friends. "It'll be nice to break up all this war talk while my wife and your husband sit still for a moment."

Brogan had thankfully been taking good care of himself before and after the battle for London, so Julia wasn't dealing with quite the same stress as Dola was with Jani at the moment. But Dola had helped Julia on occasion to look after Brogan on his bad days.

 

[heartofcourage]

It was a few days later when a lone rider came over Windsor during a rainy morning. A thick fog had enveloped the landscape before dawn, but Fiona had made sure Sam was awake. The rain was pattering against her cloak hood, but she wasn't bothered as she kept her eyes on the sky and skillfully followed the rider as they came in for a landing. The young rider, handpicked by Ezra, got his dragon settled and helped the little fox to slip down from the saddle.

Fiona met her halfway, scooping Tati into her arms and hugging her tightly. "Oh, my love. I've missed you." She whispered against Tati's ear before she kissed her cheek.

The little fox said nothing, simply holding her mother tightly. It wasn't lost on Fiona how much heavier Tati was and how much taller her daughter had grown. The war had taken away so much from her...

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam let Fiona have a moment to herself with Tati before he stepped in and took his daughter with a gentle smile. "Hiya, little kit... Not gonna be so little for much longer, huh?" Fiona could hear the same lament in his voice, but he kept a smile for the little girl. Letting her nuzzle in close, he rested his head against hers for a long moment. Glancing to the young Rider and dragon waiting at a respectful distance, Sam spoke up, "Thank you, lads. Go get yourselves something to eat and get warm. It's gonna rain a hell of a lot more."

As the two set off, Sam kept Tati in his arms so she wouldn't have to walk in the mud. "Let's get inside. You're hardly gonna recognize your brother anymore."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Is Riley...really getting...married?" Tati asked as her parents turned to take her towards the castle.

"She is. Gran has been making all the plans with Dola. We even have a special role for you." Fiona said, reaching over to pull up the hood of her cloak against the worsening rain. "Uncle Rhett sent some things in your pack for the wedding. It'll certainly be a big deal."

As they entered the quiet castle, the only other person up besides the early morning servants was Ashleigh. The queen found herself unable to sleep as a storm moved across Windsor, but as she had an early breakfast, she noticed the Ghis family entering great hall.

"Well, if it isn't Lady Tatiana Ghis." Ashleigh called to the little girl. "Welcome to Windsor."

Tati's ears flicked under her hood as she heard her name, glancing towards Ashleigh as her father drew near. She had met her cousin a few times in the past, but they were still strangers.

"Tati, you remember Ashleigh?" Fiona asked as Tati nodded a bit hesitantly. "She's the new Queen of England."

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam placed Tati on her feet, hiding the ache from his still-healing ribs. He kept a hand on her shoulder knowing she might need the support. "I know she's been in France all this time so y'haven't gotten many chances t'meet. But she's every bit as kind as her brother," he whispered against Tati's ear, calling on her fond memories of Burke who'd always been very sweet to her and made her first saddle for her when she learned to ride a pony. Standing up straight, Sam gave Ashleigh a smile. "Now tha' the guest of honor's here, we can start settin' up properly."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Dola has the kitchens whipped into a frenzy with preparations already. You'd think the wedding were today." Ashleigh said with a grin as a servant came to ask whether the family would be joining the queen for breakfast.

"We'll be dining in our rooms privately." Fiona commented as she took Tati's hand. "And I'm sure Tati could use a good, long rest. It's a long ride from the Voya."

"It's not...so long." Tati said softly as Fiona gave her daughter a fond smile.

"When you've recovered, we'll introduce you to my daughter. Royse is your age and I'm sure that you could be close friends." Ashleigh offered and Tati nodded, shy but polite as Fiona and Sam made their goodbyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam walked with Fiona and Tati to their room, seeing them in before pausing. "Should I get Riley an' Soma, or should we have some time with just th'three of us?" He asked Tati with a smile. "Up to you, darlin'." He knew she would've missed them terribly, but he also knew she liked her one-on-one time with her parents.

 

[heartofcourage]

"They're...not awake." Tati said as she wrinkled her nose at her Da as if he were the silliest person in the world.

"Not for a few more hours, I'm sure." Fiona said, taking Tati's cloak and her own and hanging them by the fire to dry. "So the three of us, then?"

Tati nodded as she made her way to a plush chair and sat down to warm up from the flight, Fiona not missing the moment to kiss her daughter's forehead yet again. "I'm so happy you're here, little kit. You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"Soma told me." Tati answered diplomatically, knowing that her parents were busy with important things and her brother's letters often painted vibrant portraits of life outside of the Voya.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam settled in a chair beside Tati, reaching over to place his hand over hers. "I hope y'brought news for us. Yer Ma an' I have been readin' every letter, but we're always thinkin' about you an' the tribe an' the dragons."

 

[heartofcourage]

Tati looked over at her Da as he asked her about what was happening with the Voya. At first, she looked very serious, but soon she gave him that bright smile that she was known for and start to tell him all that she knew about what had been happening since he had been gone. Fiona smiled at the both of them and made herself busy, unpacking Tati's bags and getting their breakfast together. Fiona saw things packed for all of them from her family, mostly for Riley's wedding and a few trinkets to remind them of home. When a servant arrived with their meal, Fiona rounded up the both of them to eat.

"Alright, you two. Let's get everyone washed up for breakfast and then we'll rest after your flight." Fiona murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam let Tati go on all she liked, asking questions here and there especially when it came to family still in Sweden and Norway, and in particular Invah and Gaiann and their egg. When Tati told him the egg had just hatched before she left, he paused in surprise in the middle of their meal. "Already?" He asked, looking to Fiona to see her reaction. It was a little early for it to hatch, but not outside the realm of what dragons Invah's size considered normal.

Tati had gotten to see the little green-teal hatchling up close within hours of him hatching, his ears and eyes still closed like a kitten as he curled in close to his mother. Invah was at the tail end of her prime and a bit older for a new mother, but she'd had many fledglings in her life and was practically an expert at this point. The same went for Gaiann, who'd immediately offered Invah every chance to sleep and relax or wander freely when the baby didn't need her close at hand. They'd considered many names, but had finally agreed on naming him after a long-lost friend, with Danica's permission. He would take his mother's name and once he was walking and alert, Invah would introduce him to the Voya as Amistadt Kyre.

Fiona would find a letter included in Tati's things, written by Rhett and including much of the same information. It also came with a letter he'd written for Invah and Gaiann, telling her how some of their much older children from near and far might come to visit little Ami, and how glad they were to know he'd have a sister like Fiona. It only reaffirmed how much they thought of Fiona as their own, and her family as theirs.

 

[heartofcourage]

Fiona was concerned to hear that Invah's egg had already hatched, but it wasn't unusual when it came to midsized dragons. She was relieved to hear that the little fledgeling was doing well in the care of his mother and father.

“Sounds like you missed out on sharing your name with a dragon.” Fiona said with a teasing grin toward her husband as servants brought in a morning meal. “Although I suppose Samuel the dragon is a bit boring in the scheme of things.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Shouldn' name a dragon after an old bear anyway," Sam chuckled. "Otherwise everyone'd expect him t'be a stubborn grump all his life like your partner."

As they all got their plates and settled into breakfast, Sam looked to Tati. "How about Sveri an' Rikke? Gaiann an' Glaynviahr must have their hands full now with Sveri runnin' all over the place."

Since Dzana had joined them and Sveri got the kind of care she really needed away from Svalbard, the little fledgling was growing like a weed. From seeing Rikke grow over twenty years, Sam and Fiona knew Sveri's mental progress would be comparable to that of a human child, but it would take at least thirty years to get anywhere close to Dzana's size. Rikke was still looking at at least another ten to rival Schaller. But Sveri would learn to speak properly soon, be able to fly reliably by age eight, and develop her flame around twenty.

 

[heartofcourage]

“I got to…ride Sveri. I’m small…enough.” Tati said with a grin. “Glaynvairh and Gaiann…helped. Uncle Rhett…was there.”

“Without a saddle?” Fiona asked as Tati ate and nodded. “That’s pretty brave of you.”

“She…was calm.” Tati insisted. “And listened well.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Got a whole family of Riders now, love," Sam said with a little grin to Fiona. Even if Tati would never be a warrior Rider, she was well on her way to growing into a fully-fledged Rider that would have her own partner someday. Sam had been telling Fiona for a while that he hoped Tati might find her way at Rory's haven when she was older. She loved the dragons so much and had a lot of patience, so she might make a good fit someday.

 

[heartofcourage]

“We have a reputation to maintain.” Fiona commented as Tati seemed so content with herself. “Of course she’d be a rider.”

“Orla…said she can…help with my speaking. To make…me stronger.” Tati commented, blinking up at her parents from behind her glasses.

“Well, if that happens, it would be wonderful. If not, you’re still perfect the way you are.” Fiona said softly. “We won’t hardly recognize you the next time we see you.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"If Orla's anything to go by, she'll have you recitin' poetry to the whole village before long." Sam smiled at the idea, knowing that Orla, like several other Voya warriors and some of the Scandinavian and Icelandic warriors they knew, were warrior-poets that honored ancient traditions. And being with Rhett, Orla was often teased for talking twice as much to fill in for her mate.

 

[heartofcourage]

“She…already taught me…one.” Tati said as she started to recite Loch Fae by heart.

Fiona listened to Tati, smiling to herself as she fought hard not to choke up too much as she heard the words of her beloved grandfather coming from her daughter. She had never felt prouder that she did right then, silently moving her lips along with the words. Tati never stumbled along the way, knowing the entire poem by heart as she'd said.

"I think it took Riley until she was older than you to learn that one." Fiona said softly as Tati finished, leaning across to kiss the little fox's cheek.

 

[KieranSoares]

Sam had his eyes on Fiona through most of the poem, unable to help a smile. He knew Orla had specially chosen Ephriam's work. And with he and Fiona having been reading through his entire collection together away from home, he knew it was a special comfort to Fiona having Ephriam's words reach across generations.

"Beautiful, little love," Sam murmured as Tati finished, leaning in to kiss her cheek before whispering so Fiona wouldn't hear, "I hope you know how proud she is, darlin'."

 

[heartofcourage]

A knock sounded at the door and moments later Riley entered, having heard a dragon shuffling around in the misty morning and rain. She grinned wide when she saw Tati, hurrying to hug her sister tightly.

"I thought I heard a strange dragon." Riley said, a wide smile on her face as she looked down at Tati. "And I knew you had to be here. I don't wake up early for anyone, so you are a lucky little kit."

Tati was beaming as her family started to draw in around her, welcoming her back with open arms. When Soma joined them, she was complete. Fiona stood there to the side quietly as she watched the bond her children had bring them together, Tati falling back in with Soma and Riley as if no time at all had passed.

"You're...not growing...a beard?" Tati asked as she felt Soma's face, taking in the details that her eyes couldn't give to her.

"It's too scraggly to be proper." Riley said with a laugh.