Topic: A Family Once More

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2016-08-21 18:53 EST
24th June,1616

Word traveled fast in Carib. Two days after the attack that had shown such clear holes in the Archon's son's ability to reason, and proven that the young nobleman who straddled north and south was more than capable in his own turn, Princess Elspeth, sister to the soon-to-be-crowned King Henry, rode into Cluaine Mor, her ladies and companions with her. And word had, indeed, traveled ahead of them. The Archon was waiting in the courtyard of the castle, his expression dark as he met his son's gaze. Lorcan was barely out of the saddle before his father gripped him by the hair, marching a full-grown man out of sight to begin sharing harsh words for his foolish actions.

Trying to make it seem as though she hadn't noticed this rather visceral display of parental authority, Elspeth remembered herself just in time, staying seated on the mare until someone came to help her down like the lady she was.

But it wasn't a servant or even her brother who came to help her from her horse, but the man she had befriended along the way. Though they'd been in each other's company for the extent of the trip, they had only been friends for two days, but in those two days, much had transpired between them and within the small group of travelers. Word had spread about the Archon's son's failure to protect the princess, as well as the baron's son's bravery. Miles' gaze met that of Elspeth's as he helped her from her horse, which was no simple feat, considering how he was favoring one arm. He had acted the perfect gentleman these last two days, making good on his promise to both befriend and protect her, even to the point of having words with the Archon's son.

She was careful to lend her weight more to his good arm than the injured limb as he helped her down, her smile still just a little shy as her hands brushed his chest before she stepped back. Though they had confirmed their friendship, Elspeth was struggling a little with unfamiliar feelings when it came to Miles Bradan. She had never wanted, not like this, and his insistence that they were so very far apart in station only added to her confusion. But he had proven himself her friend, and she was determined to keep that friendship.

"Thank you, my lord," she smiled to him, glancing up at the imposing castle they were about to enter. "Will you escort me to the queen and my brother?"

"As you wish, my lady," he replied, offering her an arm once she was standing on her feet and maneuvering to make sure it was the uninjured arm she was taking. He looked weary and ragged from the journey and the conflict that had taken place two days' before, but he'd made himself as presentable as possible, even to the point of being clean-shaven. He smiled a little as he, too, gazed up at the walls of the castle. "A lovely sight, isn't it?" he asked, clearly in awe of the grand view before them.

Lovely wasn't quite the word that sprang to mind for Elspeth, but she smiled and nodded in agreement. Gently laying her hand on his uninjured arm, she glanced back at their group briefly before looking to him once more. "This is my new home," she said quietly. "I hope I do not make too many mistakes in such a volatile atmosphere."

"You will learn, as we all have," he assured her with a warm smile, before turning his gaze to the man and woman at the center of the group gathered to welcome them - or rather, to welcome her. He hadn't missed how the Archon had dragged his son away, and he had even felt some sympathy for the man, but he made no further mention of it. "Your brother appears anxious to see you," he told her quietly, regarding Henry, who looked like he was having a hard time containing his excitement. "Shall we walk a little faster?"

A week ago, Elspeth would have abandoned Miles' arm to run to her brother and embrace him, but things had changed a little. She could tell that the entire group was watching her, judging her on this first impression ....and Henry had rushed off and told her not to hurry on the journey in the first place. "Let's keep at this pace," she murmured to Miles, her smile more of a smirk for a brief moment. After all, what was the harm in making her brother wait another minute or so"

He mirrored her smirk if only for a moment, sharing her amusement, though he wasn't quite sure why she wanted to make her brother wait when he looked practically bursting at the seams to rush forward and embrace her. He didn't dare presume it was because she enjoyed being having him close or being led on his arm. "A regal pace, then," he said as he led her slowly forward.

At the top of the steps, Brynhilde looked like she was trying not to laugh, caught between Henry - who was only just not bouncing up and down in his place - and Baron Bradan, Miles' father, who was anxious to make sure his son wasn't too badly injured.

When, finally, they reached the bottom of the stairs, Elspeth gently removed her hand from Miles' arm and lowered into a deep curtsy, just to annoy her brother a little bit more. "Majesties."

Miles stepped back a pace when Elspeth let go of his arm, allowing her to greet her brother and his betrothed before presenting him properly.

Henry looked like he could hardly contain himself, going so far as to sigh in mild annoyance at his sister's insistence on following decorum, though he knew they both were going to have to get used to it. "Do you think it would break with protocol too much to afford your only brother a hug?" he asked her.

"Rise, sister," Brynhilde said in amusement. "Embrace your brother before he abandons all decorum and throws you over his shoulder."

Laughing, Elspeth surged up from her curtsy, running up the steps to throw her arms around her brother, delighted to find him well and whole, and so obviously content with the great event that would take place very soon. The barons' side of the court clapped politely; the horse lords howled their approval, filling the courtyard with sound.

"I would not go so far as that," Harry assured them both with a slight roll of his eyes. A grin followed quickly after as he opened his arms to his sister's embrace. "I am glad to see you, Els," he whispered as he returned her embrace. "You have been missed," he added, speaking not only for himself, but for Bryn, as well.

"As have you," Elspeth pointed out, kissing his cheek affectionately. She squeezed him a moment longer, turning to embrace Brynhilde in her own turn, glad to be among family again. But she didn't forget her escort, waiting patiently at the foot of the stair. "Your Majesty, brother ....may I present my champion and friend, Miles Bradan, who risked his life for mine on the road." She gestured for Miles to come closer as all eyes turned to him.

Brynhilde masterfully managed to hide her own smile, enjoying Elspeth's telling turn of phrase even as she looked at one of the first men to have sworn fealty to her. "Welcome back to court, Lord Bradan," she welcomed him.

"Thank you, Majesty," Miles replied as he stepped closer, pausing a moment to offer the royal couple a respectful bow. "It is good to be back," he added, which hinted at the hardships of their journey, though he couldn't deny he had enjoyed Elspeth's companionship and was unsure how their friendship would fare now that they had returned to the capital. He turned to the man at the queen's side, who would soon be king. "It has been my honor to escort the princess safely into your care, Your Grace," he said, with another bow of his head.

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2016-08-21 18:54 EST
"Thank you for ensuring her safety, Lord Bradan," Harry replied, gratefully, as he looked to the man who was rumored to have saved his sister's life. "It seems we owe you a debt which cannot easily be repaid."

Elspeth whispered softly into Brynhilde's ear as Henry and Miles exchanged their greetings, and the queen smiled, nodding to her new sister. "Perhaps not a repayment, but a recognition of your actions, unasked for and welcome as they were," the pale-blonde woman said.

Though her voice was not loud, she caught the attention of everyone in the courtyard, even the Archon and his son, newly returned from their own moment of privacy. "Miles Bradan, I offer you the role of champion to the Princess Elspeth. Will you guard her back and guide her hand as she finds her way among our court?"

Harry glanced at both queen and princess with questioningly arched brows a moment, sensing something had passed between the two without his knowledge, but unwilling to either challenge the queen's decision or risk his sister's happiness.

A brief look of surprise flitted across Miles' face as he looked between the trio, before turning his gaze back to the queen and replying solemnly, "I would be honored to do so, Majesty," he said, bowing his head once again, doing his best to hide his own mingled nervousness and excitement at the prospect.

"Then rest and have your wounds seen to by our physicians," Brynhilde ordered him. "You will be expected when court resumes for the evening meal."

"Majesty," Miles replied, with another nod of his head, before turning his attention at last to his father, who was hurrying to greet him.

As the group began to disperse, with Baron Niall Bradan hurrying down the steps to greet his youngest son affectionately, Brynhilde turned to Henry and Elspeth. "Go on ahead," she told them. "I think the Archon wants to speak to me. I'll come and find you." She paused, leaning close to kiss Elspeth's cheek. "It is good to see you again, little red."

Smiling brightly, Elspeth slid her hand into her brother's, her eyes turning to him as Brynhilde moved away. "Where are we going?"

Harry grinned back at Bryn as he was given leave to welcome his sister home and speak with her privately, away from the prying eyes and ears of court. "Would you like to see your chambers or would you prefer the garden?" he asked, unsure which she might prefer, knowing she was likely tired from the journey.

"I do not mind where, so long as I am out of the direct sun," Elspeth laughed softly, hugging his arm. "I have burned and freckled and quite lost that smooth look I had the last time we spoke."

From behind Henry came the familiar shape of Lord Thomas, moving to greet his own wife with surprising warmth, given that their marriage had been nothing more than a business arrangement. As servants and officers of the court moved to see to the baggage, Elspeth drew her brother away from the bustle of the courtyard. "You look well, Harry," she smiled at him. "Was I right' Does she love you?"

"Are you afraid you might look like a commoner?" Harry teased, knowing the irony of his question. There had been a time when they had been simple commoners, unconcerned with sunburn and freckles and calluses. It had been a difficult life, but a contented one, and it seemed like a lifetime ago. His smile softened as they moved away from the courtyard and he led her to the relative privacy of the gardens, where trees and flowering plants thrived amidst pools and fountains. It was a favorite place of his and Bryn's when they wanted to escape from the pressures of court. "She has said as much, and I have returned her affection," he confirmed.

"If Louise is to be believed, then I should spend the rest of my life veiled against the sunshine," Elspeth giggled, shaking her head. "I would rather be sunburned and freckled and known than a pale image that no one can recognize even up close." Walking along beside her brother, she felt herself relax, the gentle agitation of her time in Miles' company easing away. "I am glad for you both. Perhaps now you will stop mooning around and feeling guilty for it when you remember to," she teased her brother fondly.

They were still hand in hand, as they had often been as children, clinging to each other when there was no one else to cling to - once upon a time. But those times were over, and he was to be a king with a queen for a wife, and she was a princess with an uncertain future. "Tell me of this Lord Bradan who is rumored to have put his life at risk to save yours. The story is sketchy at best, though no one has come forward to challenge it," he said, making hints at the Archon's son without saying so in so many words.

"He is a good man." For a moment, it seemed as though that was all Elspeth had to say on the matter, but she had never been able to hide her thoughts from her brother. Drawing him down to sit in the shade with her, she captured both his hands in her own. "Harry ....how did you know you loved Brynhilde?" she asked curiously. "What feelings came first' Even I know love does not grow overnight."

Harry arched his brows at her question, as he met her gaze. It was a difficult question to answer, but he would do his best. "I'm not sure," he started, pausing a moment to consider his words. "She is beautiful, to be sure, but it was not only her beauty that drew me. She has a quiet strength about her. She has endured much, as have you," he said, but none of that really answered her question. "It did not happen at once, but I found that when we were not together, she was often in my thoughts. I missed her strength, her wisdom, her wit, but most of all, I missed her companionship."

"Looks are nothing but a blessing on top of the worth a person presents," she agreed with him quietly, her expression pensive. "He saved my life, Harry. He bled for me. But even before that, he spoke to me ....to me, not to the princess, or the prize. He offered me his friendship, and ..." She hesitated, uncertain quite how her brother would react to what she was about to tell him. "When I tended his wound, I found myself asking him if he would have saved me had I not had any virtue to protect. He guessed the truth, just from that question, but he does not hold it against me. He has a keen mind, a sharp intellect; he is brave and warm, and yes, he is handsome." She paused, raising her eyes to meet his gaze with stunned sincerity. "I'm not afraid of him, Harry."

But she also did not love him, not yet. And yet, there was room for hope. "There are those who have far less to build a marriage on, sweetling. There are some who believe trust is even more important than love, as you cannot have one without the other." Henry smiled fondly and gave her hands a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "You do not have to decide today, but you could do far worse. Give it some time, get to know him better, and see if your feelings grow."

"Marriage?" He had certainly surprised her there; she hadn't expected him to jump to quite that conclusion so swiftly. But there was also an unexpected smile that came with that thought, a smile that softened her face as she considered the possibility. "I would not think of marriage for myself until you are well married," she reminded him. "As you will be, in just two days."

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2016-08-21 18:55 EST
"Perhaps, but there are those who will, and I do not wish you forced into an unhappy marriage. There will be those who only wish to court you for personal gain. We will not force any marriage upon you, but you should be wary of wolves in sheep's clothing. Are you certain this Lord Bradan is not one of them?" he asked further, ignoring her remark about his own marriage, which was more of a formality at this point than anything else.

She offered him a rueful smile. "He had to be convinced that being my friend would not be overstepping his bounds," she told her brother in amusement. "I do not think he looks for power. He befriended me because he thought I needed a friend. He said nothing about what that friendship might gain him - indeed, he put his own life in danger to protect mine. If he sought power, why would he have stepped back when the Archon's son returned to us that night' I had to summon him, Harry. I very nearly had to give him orders just to make him sit down and eat with me."

Harry did not miss the irony in the situation - that a noble lord would be worried he was an unsuitable companion for a princess, not knowing that princess had once been a simple commoner. He remembered his first encounter with those who were now family, and how inferior he felt at the time, though he was assured of the opposite. It was a wonder to him that she had trusted this man enough to hint at her deepest, darkest secret, but she had not yet revealed her meager origins. Then again, what did origins matter when they were of the blood" "He will not have to worry about such things any longer," he said, now that Bryn had pronounced the man Elspeth's champion - a title well-earned, it seemed.

"I think he still may," his sister said, her amusement almost fond at the man's expense. "He is a lot like you, Harry. He doesn't seem to think much of his belonging in the place he has been given, but he is absolutely loyal to Bryn, and now to you." She bit her lip thoughtfully. "I could do worse than a younger son of the Lord Chancellor, himself a baron."

"Well, there is no need to decide today, and he should be given some say in his own future," Harry remarked, though he knew few of noble blood were afforded such luxuries as choice and even fewer were lucky enough to have secured love matches. "We have another wedding to worry about first," he said, with a smile, regarding his own. "And I am as nervous as a fish out of water!" he admitted further with a laugh at his own expense.

Elspeth giggled, delighted to see her brother so excited despite his nerves. "You have nothing to be nervous of," she assured him. "Surely Maksim taught you what goes where in the marriage bed?" Not even their royal cousins had seen this side of her; the little girl who was still bold enough to tease her brother in such a coarse way.

"I did not need Maksim to teach me what goes where!" he exclaimed a little defensively, despite his laugh, the awkwardness between them gone as they became siblings again, comfortable in each other's companionship. "It is not that which makes me nervous so much as thought of the crown." He knew it was Brynhilde who would always be the true ruler of Carib. She was the one who'd worked and waited all her life for this. He was only a carpenter, quickly and quietly schooled to fulfill a role thrust upon him by necessity and politics.

"You won't be alone," Elspeth reminded her brother gently. "You will have Bryn at your side, always and forever. You will have her counsel, her knowledge, and the counsel of others who are loyal to you and a united Carib. I know I cannot offer much to help, but I will do what I can."

"Bryn was born to this," Harry reminded her. And he was not, but these were not new worries, and despite everyone else's faith in him, no one could make him believe in himself. He was, at least, up for the challenge. If he wasn't, he would not have gotten even this far.

"And she has spent the last six months needing you beside her," she said sternly. "Henry, as much as you might second-guess yourself, she doesn't. She needs you; she needs your advice, your fresh eyes, your gentler hand. She was born to be queen of a country that is wild and ferocious and does not play at politics the way all others do. Don't discount yourself so much. Or I will take in your wedding doublet a couple of inches - just enough to make you mildly uncomfortable all day."

He couldn't help but smile at her threat, as ridiculous as it was. "Such a threat as that should be taken seriously, I suppose," he replied, sliding an affectionate arm around her shoulders to pull her close in a brotherly embrace, touching a light kiss to her cheek. "I only hope I can live up to everyone's expectations."

"If you really annoy me, I'll lower the neckline on Bryn's gown an inch, too," she threatened impishly, leaning into her brother's embrace fondly. "It has been strange being without you these last few weeks. But I know you will not disappoint anyone, Henry. You just have to trust that the people who believe in you know who they are looking at."

He barked a laugh as she threatened him further. "And for that, you would have to answer to Bryn," he reminded her with a grin, which softened at her reassurance. "I often think Thomas would be better suited to the kingship than I, or perhaps Domnall, but I will do the best I can and pray to the Goddess for guidance."

"But neither of them could be king without marrying Brynhilde, and you cannot allow that," she pointed out with a soft laugh. "I think you would probably fight them for the privilege. She loves you, Harry, and you love her. So let her support you and help you find your place here."

"I will," he assured her, touching another kiss to her cheek. "Never fear. Now tell me all about what is going on back home. How do our cousins fare" Are Felipe and Jane happy' Are the girls letting Stephan and Marianne get any sleep?" He had not been gone long, but he missed the family ties he'd made back home in Pomerania, though he would not trade his place beside Bryn for anything in the world. "And you ..." he smirked, pinching her teasingly. "You were not to follow me so soon, but I am glad you are here."

"I know as much as you do," she pointed out with a quiet laugh. "I left barely a week after you did, though Felipe and Jane insisted on escorting me through Francia to the ship. When I left, they were the guests of King Christian, and very happy together. I am glad they have found such love and been allowed to share it openly."

"We have been lucky in that, have we not?" he said, the soft smile in place on his face again, hoping his sister would share in that luck. He was encouraged by her friendship with her newly-appointed champion, but it remained to be seen if that friendship would grow.

"Besides, did you really think I would make you wait so long to be married?" Elspeth asked him archly. "I know you, and I know her, and you would not have wanted me to miss it. So I came as quickly as I could." She grinned at him, brushing a kiss to his cheek. "Two more days, and then the entire court will spend its time contemplating Brynhilde's navel until she starts to swell."

He rolled his eyes and laughed again, this time at the thought of the court eagerly awaiting a royal pregnancy. "I'm sure she will appreciate that," he said sarcastically, knowing the opposite was more likely to be true. "Come, I will show you to your quarters," he said, moving to his feet and pulling her up alongside him.

Elspeth Bradan

Date: 2016-08-21 18:55 EST
Giggling, she let herself be pulled up onto her feet, only now noticing the other people milling beyond a line of orange trees. "Is that the court garden?" she asked curiously as they walked. "And this the private one?"

"Yes, but you've had a long journey and you need to rest. They will have your quarters ready by now, and there will be food and drink. Are you hungry?" he asked, knowing how exhausting such a journey could be, and hers had not ended without incident.

"Are you looking after me, big brother?" she asked him teasingly, unaware of the way her smile was endearing her to the more courtly members of the Carib court, the way it had endeared her to the horse lords. Perhaps she would be of more use to her brother here than either of them had thought. "Yes, I should eat and drink, and change my clothes, I suppose." A soft smirk replaced her smile. "I intend to help your wife set a new fashion here, especially now I have experienced the heat for myself."

"A new fashion?" he echoed, wondering what she might mean by that. Bryn, certainly, had a very different sense of fashion than those of Pomerania, having come from a very different culture, but he wasn't quite sure about Carib, where women of the south dressed similarly to their men. "You should be happy you don't have to wear tights and breeches and boots," he complained, though he thought women's clothes were likely far more confining and uncomfortable than anything he'd ever have to endure.

She snickered softly. "You'll see," she promised him. "I wouldn't spoil the surprise for anything, but I'm sure you won't be the only one surprised on your wedding day. I hope she likes what I've made for her - Marianne and the queen insisted on helping me with it."

There was some irony there, too - that he, a simple carpenter, was going to be a king when his cousin, who'd trained all his life to be king, was still a prince, though that, too, would change someday. "I am told it is bad luck to see the bride's gown before the wedding day," he told her, as he escorted her from the private gardens into the castle itself and through the halls to her quarters.

"And so you will not see it until the wedding day," she said cheerfully. The structure of the castle here surprised her - she had expected to find it dark and gloomy, as many castles were, built for defense above all else. And yet this Caislean Dha had wide windows to let in the sunshine, many doors left open to the world outside, many verandas on which to lean and enjoy the breeze, and all built of sand-colored stone that warmed, rather than cooled, the sight of it in all. "It's so bright."

"I was expecting it to be dreary. It's a pleasant surprise, isn't it?" he asked, coming to a halt as they reached the door to her quarters, unsure if he should accompany her inside or let her rest and join her later. "Well, here we are. I'm sure you'll find it acceptable. Bryn was very careful in choosing and decorating your rooms."

"Oh, goodness, Harry ....it's beautiful in here," she exclaimed, enchanted by the balcony that was hers alone, and the bright sunshine muted by gauzy drapes. Her eyes fell on a single cushion left to decorate one of the couches, and she let out a loud squeak of pure pleasure, joyfully bouncing across the room to snatch it up and hug it to her chest. "She remembered! I gave this to her from your bed when she left, and she's kept it just the same, and now it's mine again!"

Harry laughed at his sister's undisguised enthusiasm at her new surroundings. "I'd wondered where that had gone," he said, amused to know his sister had stolen it from him, only to give it to Bryn, who had now returned it to her. "Please tell me you do not sleep with it at night!"

"I used to," she said defensively, setting the cushion down gently on the couch once again. "And I'm sure she has been sleeping with it, too. But now she has you to sleep with, and I have my cushion back again!" Beaming, she skipped back to him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Now go away and find your lady, and I'll eat and rest before I join you again for supper, your grace."

He winced a little at the thought of her sleeping with his pillow. It was cute when she was little, and he knew it had brought her comfort, but now she was a grown woman and should be comforted by thoughts of men other than her older brother. "If I hear you are sleeping with it, I will confiscate it!" he warned, waggling a teasing finger at her. "You should be dreaming of ....of someone else." He did not name anyone by name, though he wouldn't have berated her for dreaming of Lord Bradan.

She wiggled a finger back in his direction, purposefully not letting her mind turn toward the name he hadn't spoken. "If you confiscate my cushion, I will cry," she threatened him in return. "And I'll ask for it back, in court, on my knees in front of the throne." Not that she would have to; Brynhilde was definitely her ally when it came to keeping Elspeth happy, even with her silly things. At least Harry didn't know about the doll that was hidden in her chests, made for her at their father's request when she had shyly admired the dolls that had been given to the royal triplets.

He rolled his eyes at yet another threat. "And you would not only embarrass me, but yourself!" he countered, knowing it was an empty threat, but it would never do not to offer a counter-threat. He smiled then and touched another kiss to her cheek. "Rest and eat, and I will see you at dinner."

Smiling, she answered his kiss with her own, stepping back to let him go. "I'll be there," she assured him warmly.

And so she would, for she was not only sister to the king but the heir to the throne as well, though that had not yet occurred to her. But from this day, until her last day, she would be a princess of the royal blood, close to the throne in blood as well as friendship. Perhaps it was not so ridiculous to be thinking of marriage so soon. When the royal wedding was over, the barons would start looking for advancement, and many of them would eye Elspeth for their sons. But they didn't know what they were up against. A protective brother, whose wife was easy with weapons, and now a chosen champion ....oh, yes. The barons of Carib were about to discover just how formidable their new royal family could be.