The Raven (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Sometimes I miss the loch at Inverlochly." Emma murmured as they walked hand in hand along the bank. "It was always misty and beautiful. I could lose myself out there and not have a care in the world. Besides, the Ravens were always beautiful too."

 

[KieranSoares]

"There's no sayin' we can' visit again sometime, love," Boar assured her softly. He enjoyed being back in Inverness, but he sometimes missed his first home away from home, and especially the smaller number of people and the truly wild land so close to the keep. There was plenty of wilderness around Inverness, but it took much longer to reach and want just a job out the door.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're too good to me sometimes, Lynndon." Emma said softly as he promised that they could go back to visit. "I sometimes feel like I'm going to wake up and this is all going to be a dream. I'll still be in my cabin in Inverlochly being abused."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Never, love. I made th'mistake o' lettin' you go once. I'm no' doin' tha' again." He wrapped his arm about her waist. The early days of their love had been swift and unsure, easily thrown off by just about anything, and it had taken until everything crumbled around them to solidify. Boar knew exactly what he wanted now.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma leaned against his chest, letting him hold her tightly and protect her against the world. It had taken a long time to realize that Lynndon Ghis truly did love her and want what was best for her in this life. He was her protector as well as the protector of their little family, doing whatever it took to make sure that they were all safe.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wanted t'say, love... if we are havin' another baby, I'd really like t'have a li'l lass," Boar murmured as if it were a secret. "Wanted a little girl o' my own since Annie was born, even though I was so young then."

 

[heartofcourage]

"So, you're not upset at the idea?" Emma asked softly as Boar whispered that he had always wanted a little girl. "Nothing is certain, love. I haven't felt terrible lately. I know your sister is worried about me, but this could all be nothing."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No' upset... just real worried. I don't want a repeat o' last time." Boar laid his head on her shoulder. "I know I wouldn't make it without you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We have no idea what the future might hold, love." Emma said softly. "Another child might be smooth or they might take my life. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't try if that's what we wish."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then yer a hell of a lot braver'n I am," he sighed. "I don' think I'd ever want t'risk it if I was in your place."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If you want a daughter, we have to try." Emma said with a soft smile on her lips, her eyes closing as her husband held her so tightly. "Besides, I've never heard you complain about the process we go through to get a child."

 

[KieranSoares]

"What's there t'complain about when ye've got th' lass o' yer dreams in bed with a whole night ahead o' ya?" Boar muttered with a smile down at her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I should have known what was on your mind, Lynndon." Emma said with a slight smile on her lips. "There's only ever three things on your mind: hunting, the boys, and tumbling me in bed."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hey, now, I'm a' least a little more complicated than tha'." Boar stole a kiss and laid his head against her own. "I think about plenty o' things. Those're jus' what's on my mind all the time."

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma held her husband tightly, soaking in the moment. She knew that there was a possibility that she might be pregnant but she wasn't going to allow that to cloud Boar's happiness. He was healing still and they had two little boys to raise. There was no time to think about maybes and what ifs.

A few days later, Emma had come up with an idea to bring some joy back into their home. One morning, the sounds of children giggling and squealing with delight woke Boar. Emma was cooking breakfast on the stove, looking over her should from time to time to watch the twins play with the new hunting dog that she had purchased. The dog was a mutt, barely older than a puppy, but he was eager to learn and had a nose that was second to none.

The brown and white spotted dog romped with the boys, pausing to lick their faces furiously before they started their play again. As soon as Leon spotted Boar, he was up and excitedly pulling his dad towards the dog.

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar stepped out and hardly had a moment to take in the scene before Leon was pulling him toward the dog. "Wha's this all about?" He asked with a chuckle before leaning down to ruffle the dog's fur.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I thought that the three of you had been good enough for us to get a dog." Emma said with a slight shrug as she put the simmering bacon onto a plate and started on the eggs. "He still doesn't have a name. He's second to none when it comes to tracking. Still a puppy, though. I'm sure that you can help the boys train him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Two boys an' a pup? I migh' think ye've lost yer mind, love," Boar teased with a grin as he came to her side to press a kiss to her lips. "He'll be a fine addition. Though th'boys migh' be mad a' me fer takin' 'im out hunting without them t'train 'im."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The boys will have to learn to share." Emma said with a smile towards her husband as he insisted that they might not forgive him if he took the puppy out on his own. "It'll be good for everyone. They can play with him, you can train him, and I can cuddle with him at night."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Him an' no' me?" Boar let out an exaggerated sigh. "Typical. Every time y'get a new man in yer life, be it th'boys 'r a dog, I move back a place in line fer affection." He couldn't help a smile, though, as he teased her. He adored dogs, having always wanted one growing up, and having had a kennel of hunting dogs in Inverlochly before he'd met Emma.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You always have a special place in my heart, love." Emma chuckled as Boar pouted playfully. "But I don't suffer fools, so you better straighten up."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'clearly do, because I'm th'biggest fool out o' my family," Boar grinned before pressing a kiss to her lips. He took the boys to the table, finding it a bit of a challenge to get them to sit still with the pup around. But it was, be comparison, much easier to get the pup to behave and be patient.

 

[heartofcourage]

There were tears shed as the boys were made to sit at the table for breakfast as the puppy sat patiently for attention. Leon was angry, sobbing and throwing a fit at being made to eat. Emma took it in stride, laughing softly at her stubborn little boy while Eli seemed so antsy.

"Caerleon, little boys who throw a fit don't get to play. They have to spend the day doing chores and then go to bed early." Emma said, looking her son in the eyes until he calmed down. "Be a good lad, please."

 

[KieranSoares]

As Leon began to settle, Boar smoothed back his hair affectionately. "Good lad, listenin' t'yer mother." He made sure to give Eli the same praise as the boy managed to contain himself at least for the moment. Despite their upbringing, none of the Ghis children had ever been known for even raising their voices at their children even at their most stressed. While some of them could be incredibly impatient about some things, they had developed immense patience for children and those still learning. It was perhaps how Boar had always been so patient with Emma in their rockiest times.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma was always in awe of how Boar interacted with their twins. He was calm, cool, and affectionate. He never was too busy to spare a hug or a few words of encouragement. It was very clear to everyone that Lynndon loved his children and they had completed something inside of him that had been broken for far too long.