To Capture a Captain's Heart (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"You don't need to be so formal anymore, you know... I'd like to talk with you about what you intend to do with this peace treaty. I know the rules stated that the winner has full control, but... my son will take over my title when I die, and I'd hate for him to be caught in a terrible position because of my stupid pride... Even more so, I'd hate for my people to suffer because of me, much as I deserve everything that's coming to me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have no want to take your kingdom, Monomakh. I would be glad to enter into a treaty with you and your people and to ensure that your son's legacy is secure." Kayla said, showing him more mercy as she walked towards his bed. "I need a promise to you that this madness will end. Kjotva has been through enough."

 

[KieranSoares]

"So have I... I won't trouble you or your allies again even if I do manage to make it home. And my son will abide by the treaty the same. He's a good man, much more honorable than I am. You have the promise of all the Princes of the regions in my homeland as I or my son will soon become Grand Prince." He sat himself up a little straighter, but it was clearly a huge effort for his weakened body. "And perhaps one day you might see Kiev for yourself. It's very beautiful, some of the finest architecture in the world. I miss it dearly. Which brings me to a request, even though I know you don't owe me any favors. Please, let Queen Kjotva know that if I survive, my life is hers to do with what she will. It's only fair."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No." Kayla said after he had finished speaking. "Your life is mine. I won that right in battle. I am giving you back your kingdom and your birthrights. Kjotva has been through enough. She will be left alone to find happiness if she possibly can. Perhaps in time we will find a way to bridge what is between us but for the time being we have to figure out what this means."

 

[KieranSoares]

Monomakh was quietly surprised at her stern claim on his life, and he didn't argue with her, knowing it wasn't his place nor was it his right after losing fair and square. "What do you wish, then?" It felt strange to him, being the one submitting to an unconditional surrender when he and his vast country of great warriors were usually the victors.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I want peace." Kayla said softly. "I need peace. For my sake, for that of my husband, for that of my citizens. They lives a hard life under Olaf and I need to ensure that they get the time to heal as much as the rest of us. It's that simple."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then you'll have it. I don't know about my son's successors, but you'll have peace from the Rus as long as he or I rule. Perhaps we might find a chance one day to become better than just neutral nations to one another, but I'll leave that for another time... Draw up a treaty with your advisor. Whatever you want, I'll submit to it as promised."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Perhaps one day the Triad will expand. We see great things for our future. We would welcome you into it when the work is complete in your country." Kayla said, giving him a nod as she turned to leave the room. "And you are a very worthy adversary, Monomakh. Very worthy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"As are you, Kayla... And a kind soul," he murmured in return before she left. By this time, Ulfric and Kjotva had emerged once more and Ulfric was getting a severe talking-to by Freja while Arslan simply held his daughter. Apparently Kjotva had told them her secret about who the baby's father really was. Christopher was speaking with the Kievan Major who'd accompanied Monomakh, seeming to get along just fine with the men now that things were peaceful.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know a priest who would be happy to make this right." Kayla commented as she came closer to Freja and Arslan, a sheepish looking Ulfric and Kjotva looked down towards the ground. "Two things can happen, my friends. Either this child is that of the king or Kjotva will marry Ulfric. He is my citizen and I give her the right to take him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think we'll hold off on that decision until he promises to quit being such an ass," Kjotva murmured. "Besides... I don't think I have the energy for this right now." She wasn't too happy with any of them at the moment with the exception of her parents. Kayla had taken up the mantle of duelist when Ulfric and Ashien and Christopher were forced to give it up, and she was especially unhappy with Elhardt who had kept her away from the fight so she couldn't kill Monomakh herself. "I'm going to go get some sleep," she said before leaving them to go to her chambers.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I won't pretend to know what she's feeling right now, but she will have to make her decision soon." Kayla said softly, looking to her parents and the man that loved her so dearly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"She's conflicted, at the very least," Freja murmured. "After all... Sigmund only just died three months ago. You can't ask her to marry again so quickly, it's against everything she knows."

"She shouldn't have to anyway," Ulfric sighed. "It wouldn't work. I can't leave Norway, and she can't stay away from Sweden."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Who says you can't leave Norway?" Kayla asked, looking at Ulfric. "I would miss you greatly, but there is nothing to tie you there save for your daughter. She is very well taken care of by her husband, though."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I have to stay here. This is my life's work, Kayla. I can't just up and leave it for a foolish dream."

"Being in love is the furthest thing from foolish," Freja murmured, and even Arslan seemed surprised to hear that coming from his wife. "You'll go, Ulfric. Even if you don't ever marry her, just love her. She might pull away now, but there will come a day very soon when she needs you and you need to be there for her. My little girl's heart is very fragile... more so than the softest of people. Don't break it." Those final words were not a warning, but a plea before Freja took Arslan's arm and went outside with him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can still be my adviser all the way from Sweden." Kayla said softly as she watched the stunned look cross Ulfric's features. "Or you and Kjotva can retire to Norway. Either way, I will support you in whatever you decide to do."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ulfric just sighed and shook his head. "Nothing's ever that easy, Kayla... I'll talk with her about it when she's willing. It might be a while, though." He turned to kiss her cheek then. "Thank you, dear. For everything." He left her side as Christopher approached.

"Everything alright?" Christopher asked while watching her advisor walk away.

 

[heartofcourage]

"No." Kayla said softly as she watched Ulfric walk away from her, his shoulders slumping slightly as he considered the situation. "But perhaps in time it will be."

Glancing up at Christopher, she stood on her toes in order to give him a sweet kiss. It had been a long time since she had felt free enough to do that.

 

[KieranSoares]

Christopher wrapped an arm about her waist at her kiss, glad for just the short moment of affection amid all the confusion and troubling times. "Things will work out... Everyone needs to calm down and see that the peace will last before they're willing to commit to anything else again. It's been a long fight for us all... but thankfully it's over."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's over." Kayla said as his thick arm wrapped around her waist and held her against his side. "And now we can turn our attentions towards other things. Norway, the poor, and our family."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Speaking of which... I have a surprise coming for you tomorrow. I just put in the order tonight." Christopher gave her a smile and kissed her cheek before giving her the lead.

 

[heartofcourage]

"A surprise? What kind of surprise?" Kayla asked him, wondering what he had up his sleeve as he kissed her cheek. "Christopher, you don't need to buy me things. You know that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"The kind of surprise that's going to annoy a lot of the maids and serving men," he chuckled, but told her no more.

The next day, amid the court getting back to normal, Christopher disappeared after breakfast without a word and didn't reappear until after lunch, looking quite happy with himself but giving nothing away.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You look very pleased with yourself." Kayla said with a smile as she actually relaxed for the first time since the troubles had begun, a book resting in her lap when Christopher came back in the room. "Are you going to ever tell me what you've been up to?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"No. But I'll show you," Christopher took her hand and laid her book aside. "Come on, your surprise waiting." He led her out of the palace where a small horse-drawn cart was waiting, and a rugged farmer waited, leaning on one large wheel. He stood up straight and took off his hat, seeing Kayla.

"Your Majesty," he said with a smile in Norwegian before bowing before her, then he shook Christopher's hand. "I really hope you like them, I've trained them the best I could." He stepped around to the back of the cart, which was where two dark heads poked up over the side. They were year-old mountain dogs, known for getting very large and being especially robust in northern winters and in rough landscapes. Both were colored similarly, with black on their heads and ears and down their backs and across the tops of their tails, and brown faces and paws with a white chest and underbelly. They had thick, slightly long fur, and the only discernible difference between them was that one was much larger with blue eyes rather than brown like the smaller. The farmer pulled down the back of the cart and they both hopped down, immediately going to Kayla to sniff around her and lick her hands until the farmer called for them to sit, which they did immediately.

"The big male is Skoll, and that's his little brother Hrolf, two of the best dogs I've ever bred. I hope you like them, milady," the farmer offered as the dogs came to obediently sit at his heel upon a simple motion from him.