The Raven (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I'm cursed, Boar." She said softly, taking his hand. "I'm never meant to be happy. I'm never meant to have good things in my life. It is all destined to go wrong."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You ain' cursed..." Boar drew her into a tight embrace. "Fate hasn't been kind t'you, I know... but I'll be damned if a Prince an' a few awful men'll ruin th'rest of yer life even after they're gone. I'm gonna make you happy. Everyday, I'm gonna make you smile. No matter what I 'ave t'do..."

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma sighed as Boar wrapped her up in his tight embrace, promising her that he would make her happy every day. That was all that she wanted from him. And who knew...perhaps in time they would come to an understanding that would allow her to marry him.

"But what about your family? They want you to marry." She murmured against his chest.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know they do. But I don' mind tellin' 'em no this time." Boar lifted her chin with a gentle smile. "It's okay love... all I want is t'be with you. I don' need anythin' else. An' my family'll have t'be content with that." He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, the sheer softness behind his touch showing her that he was genuine.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I wish..." Emma started, choking on her words as unexplained tears came to her eyes. "I wish that I could give you everything that you wanted. You have no idea how bad it feels to know that I can't make our wishes come true."

 

[KieranSoares]

"What d'you wish for, Emma?" He asked gently, lifting his hands to her cheeks and brushing away her tears. "If it's anything I can fulfill, y'know I will."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want a family." She finally confessed, her heart ripped open and raw as Boar wiped away her tears. "It's all I've ever wanted and more."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then you'll have one," Boar told her with absolute certainty. "Give me one chance get us t'have our own, Emma. If it turns out we can't, then we'll find some little lass or lad, as many as y'like, who need a home." He was determined to make her happy. "An' we don't have t'marry unless you ever want to. I swear t'the Gods you'll have a family."

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma had nothing more to say to that. She simply stepped into his embrace again and kiss him with a passion that told him that she would give him everything and more if he could make her dream come true.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar was all too glad to kiss her in return, and when their lips parted, he smiled down at her. "Now... come on out 'ere with me. We've got a guest. Even if I don' like who 'e is... I trust ya." He took her hands, kissing one and he let her lead.

 

[heartofcourage]

"And you'll be nice to him, Boar." Emma murmured softly. "Even if he hurt me, he was just doing as his brother commanded. He's struggling now and he needs our help."

 

[KieranSoares]

"... Anythin' you say." Boar nodded and followed her out. Dunham still waited quietly, his hands folded on the table. Boar sat down across from him and Dunham avoided eye-contact with him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Dunham, I am going to show you where to bathe and give you a change of clothing. After that, you both will talk to one another whether you like it or not." Emma said softly, looking at Boar.

 

[KieranSoares]

Dunham nodded and rose to follow her. Boar simply remained where he was, aside from the brief absence to fetch a tankard of ale from one of the barrels in the kitchen. Dunham was all too glad to wash up and have a fresh change of clothes, thanking Emma often as they went. When they returned, Boar was simply drinking his ale and watching the fire.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma showed a now clean Dunham to the seat that he'd left. She looked between the two men and she cleared her throat to gain Boar's attention. "I think I'll leave you both to talk then."

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar nodded, looking to Dunham, but it wasn't until Emma was gone that they really began to talk. Boar would not be happy with him, but with Emma's insistence, he'd give the man a chance. Dunham had been sweet in the beginning, but his brother's example had turned him into the monster Emma knew. Still, he'd never be the beast Tavish had been in his last insane moments.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma let the two men talk out their differences and what would happen from them on out. She retreated back into the bedroom, drawing a bath before the roaring fire. If the grey clouds outside were any indication, it would snow soon. She wanted to relax, watch the snow fall, and forget all about the jumble of thoughts that were currently racing around in her head.

Sinking down into the water, she let out a sigh, letting herself sink up to her chin. She closed her eyes, tipping her head back against the metal rim of the tub as she let herself simply drift.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was after some time that she heard boots pass her room, likely Boar showing Dunham where he could stay the night, before Boar came to Emma's door and knocked lightly. "Hey, love," he said softly. "Can I come in?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yes." Emma called through the door, turning her head to watch Boar enter. "Did you both finish your talk?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think we reached an understanding." Boar came to kneel beside her, resting his head on his arms on the rim of the tub. "I told 'im I'd find 'im a job an' a place t'start over in Inverlochly, an' I'd give him six months t'prove 'e's a changed man. If 'e proves it, I'll let 'im stay. If not, 'e 'as t'leave my region, if not Scotland."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I knew you had it in you to keep an even head." Emma said softly, pulling her hand from the water and gently cupping Boar's cheek. "You're a good man, Lynndon."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah. I'm just a man who'd do anythin' his lass asked," Boar smiled, lifting a hand to her own. "... 'Ave I told you I love you?" It was unmistakable in his eyes that he was a man head-over-heels in love.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma smiled softly at her lover and leaned forward, kissing him with all that she was worth. As she leaned closer to him, she rose from the water slightly, her breasts bare to his gaze.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar couldn't help the silly lovestruck grin on his face when their lips parted. "Y'kiss me like tha' an' you'll spoil me, love," he teased. "Migh' give me a sweet tooth too." He couldn't help glancing down at her bare body beneath the water, feeling a bit of arousal at the beautiful sight.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma smiled and laughed softly as Boar glanced down her naked and wet body, the lust in his voice unmistakable. "Taste all you want, love." She murmured softly.