To Capture a Captain's Heart (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"We'll try our hardest, Elhardt." Kayla said with a small laugh. "Trust me, I'm sure everyone in the kingdom will be watching my belly for the next few years. I just want to give it time. Perhaps I can go home and visit my Ma and let her coddle me for a while. There is no rush."

She was calm and collected on the outside, but she ached inside. She ached at the loss of her first child, but she didn't want to let it show. There were many more people in Norway who had it much worse than she did and she always had to remember that.

 

[KieranSoares]

Elhardt seemed to know she still hurt, but he left it with one reminder. "You're always welcome in Denmark too if you need some time away."

It was after Elhardt had gone home that Kjotva and Ulfric came to Kayla once more. Kjotva was beginning to show, but she seemed to be desperately trying to hide her pregnancy as long as possible.

"Kayla," Kjotva spoke up as they entered Kayla's office. "I think... We've decided what we're going to do."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced up from her paperwork as Kjotva and Ulfric came into her office, announcing that they had decided what they were going to do. Her dog was settled at her feet, never lifting his head but watching the new comers as they came into the office. Once he had decided that it was safe, he went back to dozing in a sunbeam.

"And what have you both decided?" She asked them, interested in knowing what would happen with her sister queen and her dear adviser.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We've been talking about it non-stop since you all brought me home, and... we found a solution that we need your approval for. Ulfric's daughter, Kjersten... and her husband Rakkar. They're perfect for Sweden. According to tradition and old Swedish laws, as Sigmund's widow and with no remaining heir to the throne I can name Kjersten my heir if I marry Ulfric. Then I can step down from the throne."

"Sweden knows my daughter well, and they love her and Rakkar," Ulfric offered in support of the idea. "But Rakkar is a Jarl of Norway, and Kjersten is also a noble in your employ. They'd need your blessing and they'd need to be released from service, and a new Jarl would have to be set in place for Rakkar's hold."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla nodded, knowing that she would already give her consent to the situation but she wanted to know what the future held for the two of them. "And where would that leave you? Where will you live? How will you raise your child?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"We were hoping you'd keep Ulfric on as your advisor... And we'd stay here. Of course I'd visit Mongolia every so often, but... I'd like to call Norway home. That is, if you'll let me," Kjotva murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced between the two of them an considered their request. She knew if the transition was smooth then everyone could be happy.

"I will allow you to stay here. You don't have to worry about anything." Kayla promised, giving them each a smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kjotva immediately stepped forward to hug Kayla tightly, murmuring a soft thank-you as Kayla put the last piece in place to make so many of their worries melt away. Ulfric finally seemed to relax with a long sigh. "Kjersten will do Sweden proud... A half-Dane, half-Norwegian as Queen of Sweden... quite a combination."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Who would have believed a Scot would become the queen of Norway?" Kayla said with a smile towards Ulfric. "She'll be fine. A very welcome addition to the Triad and we will continue to support our other allies in every way that we can. I promised Monomakh that we would reach an agreement."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hopefully from this point, even if Monomakh's not with us, he and his son keep his word and they won't be against us." Kjotva returned to Ulfric and even though she wasn't the sort of woman to cling or hang on her man, she took his arm and remained close. Ever since her ordeal in the Rus, her fearless demeanor had crumbled and the further along she got in her pregnancy, the further that independence and confidence gave way to the anxious and worried mother she was on the inside. She didn't talk about it with anyone, not even Ulfric or Kayla.

Ulfric laid his free hand on Kjotva's where it lay on his arm. "No matter what happens... I'll still be here to offer what help I can. And now Kjotva's own particular skills can be at your service. She supplies the missing piece that your brother had been filling in, with her knowledge of horses and archers thanks to her father."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I insist that until your child is born that you take things easy. We have a time of peace at the moment. Anything that comes our way can be handled by Christopher and I." Kayla said, knowing that she and her husband needed a break themselves, but holding their kingdom together and making sure that their friends were taken care of were incredibly important to the both of them.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've been taking things easy since I got back, Kayla. A little work isn't going to kill me. I absolutely refuse to be treated like a fragile little mother who can't stand on her own." There was that stubborn, independent spirit again, which made Ulfric smile.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I understand that, Kjotva, but I also know that you have not had a day to yourself in a very long time. What harm would there be in taking some more time?" Kayla murmured, knowing that against the both of them she was hopelessly outnumbered.

 

[KieranSoares]

"No harm but sheer boredom," Kjotva admitted dryly. "But I appreciate that you care, nonetheless. I wouldn't be here if not for that. Still, I'll let you know when it's too much for me, even if my stubborn pride doesn't want to admit it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced towards Ulfric as Kjotva promised her that she would tell her when she had enough. Of course Ulfric would do the same, no matter if Kjotva wanted him to or not.

"I will agree to that." Kayla said softly, giving them both a smile. "As long as you both are happy, you can remain in my counsel."

 

[KieranSoares]

Kjotva couldn't help but embrace Kayla once more. Her emotions were a little more unpredictable than usual in her current state, but Kayla was definitely helping to ward off outside worries. Kjotva had a new, safe home. Now she could focus on her love and her child. Whether it was Ulfric's or not- though she was certain it was his- nothing would change between them. But Kjotva was not about to marry the man, it seemed.

Once Ulfric and Kjotva left Kayla's side, Skoll decided he wanted some attention, snuffling about Kayla's feet and then her hands with a soft woof.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced down at Skoll as he insisted upon her attention. She smiled as she reached down and scratched his chin, laughing softly as he woofed at her and wagged his tail. He was a brute, that much she knew.

"Has Chris been talking to you about how much I work?" Kayla asked with a laugh as Skoll bounded around the room like a puppy, stopping to wag his tail at her once more. "Alright, we can go for a walk. Let me fetch my cloak."

 

[KieranSoares]

Skoll was out the door the moment she opened it, but he never got out of sight. However, he did nearly topple over a maid. He stopped to make sure the woman was alright, and she gave him a pat and sent him on his way. By the time Kayla had her cloak, Skoll was sitting by the main doors.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla laughed as she found Skoll waiting impatiently for her. His tail was thumping on the floor in a frantic rhythm and when she opened the door, he bounded outside and sniffed among all of the plants and trees that could be seen. She watched him a moment before she turned her attentions towards everything else around her.

She wanted to plant a garden, one like she had seen Vincenzo have once upon a time in Italy. It reminded her so much of the good moments of her childhood. Perhaps she could talk to the palace gardener when things calmed down a little bit more.

 

[KieranSoares]

Skoll's barking would pull Kayla from her thoughts as a man on horseback entered the courtyard. A band on his arm displayed yellow and black with a bear insignia, not a motif that Kayla was familiar with. But Skoll seemed to have a problem with the man's presence, and darted back to Kayla's side while the gate guards flanked the man to make sure there was no trouble.

"Lady Kayla Ghis, your Highness," the man addressed her without dismounting.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced towards the man as Skoll barked and seemed ill at ease with this man suddenly showing up. She stood in her spot, staring at the insignia on his arm as he nodded towards her and called her by name.

"Sir. I'm afraid to say that I do not know who you are." Kayla answered in a soft voice as Skoll raised his hackles.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I am Lieutenant Anton Muro Arsenska of the First Cavalry, loyal servant and messenger for my lord Prince Konstantin Makarikov. His lordship has sent myself and five others and my general to seek council with you, in which my Lord General will speak for the Prince. If you should accept, General Nikodim Isaak will arrive tonight with myself and his five chosen men. He asks that your Lord Protector Callaghan and your closest advisors be present as well."

His introduction jogged her memory of the kingdoms of the Rus, of which Novgorod was the northeastern region, known for the black and yellow bear banner.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Tell your counsel to arrive at dusk. We will provide a meal for each of you as we talk." Kayla murmured with a nod of her head. "And a place to stay if the hour grows too late."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yes, milady. Thank you for your cooperation," the Lieutenant told her with a bow of his head before reining his horse around and taking off once more. Skoll finally relaxed, but watching the retreating figure without blinking til he was out of sight.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Let's find Christopher, Skoll." Kayla said, glancing down at her dog as he stood there stock still and watching the retreating figure until he could no longer be seen. "Seems as if we have work to do this evening."