Boldness of Clan Talks (MacLeods & Lamonts)

[Lady Siobhan MacLeod]

YOUTH & WISDOM
Experience & Pride

Rosalind Lamont || Rosalind hadn't had much time to focus on the weather today. Too busy to even glance out the window, she was rather surprised to return to her room to have her son nearly bowl her over as he put down his toys, ignored the nanny, and tugged insistently on his mother's skirts. "I wanna go out!" he shouted. Then he ran to the other end of the room, threw his hands up as high as they could go, but still fell short of the window. "OUT!" Rosalind hated being dictated to by a three-year-old, but at his dramatic pointing to the clear blue afternoon sky, such a rarity for Scotland at any time of the year, but particularly during spring, she couldn't precisely refuse him. She walked over to the window, picked up his wooden sword, and planted the grip in his little hand. "Pardon-moi?" she asked instead, a brow arched in prompt. Aldric sighed impatiently and said the necessary "please" that seemed to get his mother to do whatever he wanted doing, and soon they were off. Rosalind took the boy down the corridors, the blond head of hair bobbing up ahead as she followed in a slightly more leisurely pace out to the gardens, where Aldric could swat at poor unsuspecting butterflies and she could investigate the first flowers of spring. All in all, it was not a bad arrangement, she thought, as the sun warmed her face and the breeze filtered through the dark wimple hiding her hair, gently lifting the light layers of dark fabric that constituted her mourning dress.

Siobhan MacLeod || Siobhan stopped the black horse as she reached the castle stables. Her father and Uncle had rode ahead, already dismounting while a few men stayed behind her to keep her in the middle. She was not the most important figure here, but she was the only female. When her Uncle came to help her down, she pressed her hands to his broad shoulders as he picked her up and settled her booted feet upon the dirt. Pulling the cloak about her, she looked to her father as he moved forward into the castle, having not been at the Griffin estates since the war began. Siobhan held her head high, ignoring the small voices in her head that asked questions she could not get the answers to yet. Inside the castle they went, being greeted by the servants and maids before Siol moved on and Siobhan followed right after him. For some time, they held a meeting with the Duke and Duchess. Siobhan had much to learn and instead of being sent away for a time, she stayed and listened, though offered little of her opinion. It was not her time for such things yet. When the meeting was done, Siol had expressed business elsewhere that had nothing to do with Siobhan, which left her in the care of two guards, and able to roam around the castle. She wanted to go to the city, to see who was alive still. Yet, she was stuck here and tried to make the best of it. With the men following after her, she moved along the halls to look at the paintings for a time, before she found herself in the garden where two others were walking about. A woman and a boy. Siobhan watched them for a time, not saying a greeting or calling their attention. Sighing softly, she knew her guards were bored... they were not the normal ones she had who entertained themselves. It was not her problem if they were bored or not really.

Rosalind Lamont || Rosalind, mindful of anyone else who came to enjoy the gardens, but not a whack to the back of the knees from her enthusiastic son, eventually saw the young woman enter the gardens and artfully directed Aldric toward a "dragon's cave" in the opposite direction. He exuberantly took the bait, galloping off to slay the evil beast, chatting away dramatically his knightly endeavors as he did so. He did not seem to mind of Rosalind offered her mixture of English and French affirmations that she was listening, so long as she was nearby. She was truthfully very excited to let him get involved with a group of children his own age the following day, though between the business of Clan Lamont and her duties at court, she hadn't had much time to investigate such a thing. She shrugged a bit. There was plenty of time now, and no use worrying over the past. Children were resilient. Aldric would not remember the months of near imprisonment and secrecy. She owed a debt of gratitude to too many people to count that he was ignorant to how miserable this year had been. Rosalind turned to face the young woman and inclined her head politely, a small smile on her features that was nevertheless magnified owing to the wimple. "Good day. Please let me know if my son is too loud. Dragon slaying is noisy business." Apparently.

Siobhan MacLeod || Siobhan's view on children was still one she was battling with. Only a child herself, in so many ways, she did not think having a child at the moment. Not to mention, other reasons to why she did not. The woman's voice brought cadet blue eyes up to her own lovely ones. The accent said she was not from these lands, Siobhan had done a great deal of training to have her own be more clear. ``Good day. Your son is outside, his volume is of little matter.`` Her tone seemed a bit..strange, but she gave a soft smile to the woman. It was not that Siobhan disrespected people she did not know, but more so knew her place. Perhaps a bit too much at times. ``Does he often slay dragons? And you encourage these fantasies?`` She inquired. Siobhan looked older then her age and even spoke older then she should have, but in reality, being sixteen was of the age to do many things, including marry and have children of her own. Moving a bit more out into the area her eyes stayed on the woman's face as her hand touched some still growing flowers.

Rosalind Lamont || Rosalind had been fourteen when she came to Scotland as a young bride. She hadn't entered a proper court until much later, and by then, the lessons had held a much heavier cost for the rare occasion in which she failed at perfection. Though she was known in the court for being distant, perhaps a little prickly, and having the dramatic past that most women would flee from screaming in terror, she remained approachable enough. An outsider by most accounts, being Norman, but not having lived in France for over half of her life, a tangiest though she was not Scottish, a mother though she was not married to his father, Rosalind bucked a few conventions even while she retained the most obvious. Such as wearing mourning for the proscribed period, though her husband was no one whose passing would be much noted. "I do. For I also believe in heroes, and they are not fantasy." She did not look like a woman who could make naive statements. She was twenty-eight, and looked very much her age, regal and poised, her hazel eyes at once filled with knowledge and wry amusement as she studied the young woman. "Are you new to court? I do not believe we have met." She politely cleared her throat and waved to Aldric. "Child! Come back here, not too far!" Aldric, frowning, went into reluctant retreat until he was once again back within range. "I am Lady Lamont, but it pleases me to say this court is not nearly so formal, and I would be pleased if you called me by my Christian name. I am Rosalind, and this is my son, Aldric."

Siobhan MacLeod || Like many girls her age, Siobhan was still trying to find herself in this world and trying to make sense of the goals her father set out for her. A dark, narrow brow rose up at the woman as she explained that she did indeed encourage it and the reasons why. ``That is a good reason to encourage such things.`` She moved closer, for it was polite to speak to someone face to face and not be halfway across the garden area. Still, she kept some distance.With a cloak of maroon wrapped about her and the skirts that held a design of plaid coloring for her clan, she was dressed with pride. Siobhan was about to answer, when the woman yelled out for her child. Siobhan waited with what seemed little patience before speaking. ``No. I was born here in Skye and have been destined to be a part of this court since birth. My father is the chieftain of clan MacLeod. I am the ambassador between others clans. If I may, it would be better to call you Lady Lamont, since we do not know each other as friends at this moment. Perhaps later, that will change...or maybe not. I am Siobhan MacLeod or Ambassador MacLeod.`` It was apparent she took her title and duty seriously. ``Your name sounds familiar. What is it that you do, Lady Lamont?``

Rosalind Lamont || "A pleasure," she returned with a curtsy. Rosalind was fluid enough in movement that she could compensate for her old injury in everything, it seemed, save walking. "I am the chieftain of Clan Lamont, until my son reaches his majority." She was one of the first women to do so, but this fact was not nearly so intriguing as there had been no fuss among the men of Lamont, and each had willingly sworn fealty in a private ceremony, to both the French woman and her half-Campbell son. "Well, Lady Lamont it is." There was no tone of correction in Rosalind's voice, but if this young woman was to make a place for herself in this court, Rosalind had afforded her the luxury of discovering the court of Skye was considerably less straight-laced than other courts. Yet even Rosalind could not call friends by their Christian names, which is why there was no judgment in her tone, merely acceptance, with a little smile. "I take it you and your father are come here on business today? This seems to be a season for clan business. My head is full of it."

Siobhan MacLeod || Cadet blue eyes followed the woman and her movements while slender fingers held more onto the cloak that covered her form. The only thing she had of her husband's possessions that was on her at the moment. It gave her some odd comfort. A female chieftain? That seemed to turn the woman's distant approach about a bit. ``You are a female chieftain?`` Eyes glanced to the boy, before looking back to Rosalind. ``Aye, we are here on business. It is the only reason we come to the Griffin castle. That and celebration of course. As is mine..it is a great deal to learn, but I was born to do it. How did you become a female chieftain?`` There was a hint of something in her voice. Interest.. surprise..possibly a small bit of adoration to the fact stated.

Rosalind Lamont || She smiled wryly. "That is a long story, indeed." And a painful one that she was not sure yet how to recount. The pain was too near, the triumph too bittersweet. "I was married twice to chieftains of Lamont, both of whom have since gone to the grave." Obvious, by her clothing, then, for whom she mourned. There was no jewelry upon her person save a heavy-looking silver cross, two beads of jet strung along a fine chain. It was her most valued possession, for it was rumored it had once belonged to her mother. She touched it briefly as she thought about how to explain such an apparent question to a stranger. "Both were good leaders in different respects, but they failed to give me a child in which to lead the clan. And for very different reasons, they failed their clan at the last and most important moment. My son can bring the unity that has thus far eluded Campbell and Argyll, and any solution that is not more war is a just solution. So when he is of age, he may decide whether he wishes to rule, or appoint a man who is worthy of leadership." She shrugged lightly, elegantly. "You say you are a diplomat, then? Have you traveled much?"

Siobhan MacLeod || Siobhan did not have the time to sit and listen to a long story, though she would have liked to. Her father would not be long handling business of the army and she would need to get back to him soon. The woman intrigued her though with such words of being in such a high position. Siobhan could not help the young curiosity that poured from her. Married twice? That must have been horrible for the woman, more so if the husband's were both arranged. Not married to one stranger, but two? The woman's clothing was noted, because Siobhan was a woman who enjoyed worldly possessions and thought of them as the key to life. It was a very childish thing to believe, or greedy in some people's mind. ``So your son, is not born of the Lamont blood? I am confused. They did not give you a child, but your son, will have the choice of being a leader? Or choosing who the leader should be? How does that work, Lady Lamont?`` Cadet blue eyes stayed on the woman's face, as a bit of seriousness seeped inside. Siobhan pondered the other question asked as she removed her fingers from the leaves by her side. Wrapping them around the maroon cloak, she pulled it closer and held onto it gently. ``I am still coming into that field. I am a female and normal clans do not take too kindly to a female leader. It is not right to them. I have only traveled about Skye, as it is the place I will help keep respectable. When I become more into my duty, then I will go to the neighboring isles. Your accent speaks that you are not from here. As with the clan.``

Rosalind Lamont || The girl was attentive, and Rosalind could nearly see the gears at work within. "I said it was a long story. And it is." She smiled, though, not quite the courtier's smile she was rather infamous for shooting when deflecting. "My first husband, Domhnall, he was not always leader of his clan. That duty fell upon his uncle. Domhnall was sent to France to remind the King of his treaty, ah, well before your time and mine, when Balliol was Lord Governor. That party was imprisoned and treated rather miserably, but the youngest men of the party, including my husband, were sent out of Paris into the custody of my father. Domhnall saw an advantage in having a French wife, though I was only four years old at the time." She laughed lightly and folded her arms across her stomach, regarding Siobhan with open curiosity. She was much more adept than other clan daughters. Rosalind had no doubt she heard each word Rosalind spoke and held it very carefully in evaluation. "[]Six years ago, now, Domhnall's uncle passed of an apoplexy, and the men of Lamont elected him their tanist, for he and I had worked so long and hard in establishing a treaty with our neighbors the Campbells. We worked tirelessly those years, and though Domhnall did not wish to lead, he hardly had a choice in the matter. We do what we must, oui? Tragedy befell my people, and though her men were unable to respond, their lady defended Lamont on the field and behind the walls of Inveryne. That memory is still alive in their hearts. I may be French, but I am also the Lady Inveryne, and what has my ethnicity to do with romance? And here we are again, with my men lost and without a leader. They chose me not because it was most appropriate, but because they are tired of war. I bring them peace[/b]." What was not public knowledge was this peace was not owing entirely to Aldric's father, but a fast friendship she had made with Sir Kendrew. Rosalind released her arms and waved a hand absently. "Ah, but enough about me. I am very interested in you. I have not met many originally from Skye. I think this experience you need will come quickly enough, particularly in Skye." [/color]

Siobhan MacLeod || At the woman's words, Siobhan gave a wicked little smirk from her pouted lips. She was right and Siobhan could not argue other wise. Rosalind had given warning to her and she had a feeling she was not going to get all the answers today. That was okay though, for another time. There was always more time. Had Siobhan been sitting down, she would have rested her chin in her palm, but she was left to stand still and simply watch, listen as the woman spoke of her first husband and how he came to meet her at the age of four. It was not uncommon here for a male to pick out his bride at such a young age. However, he did have to wait until she was of age before being alone with her. ``A young age to be picked out as a wife.`` Siobhan agreed with a softer smile. The Campbells held a few that were related to the MacLeods, but that was common with most brother clans. ``Aye`` she agreed momentarily. Duty before thy self was a well known saying. ``It is a very poetic way of looking at politics. I have found many men will pray to a woman Goddess, but heaven forbid that a real woman of flesh and bone lead them at times. Very ironic in many ways, when they wish for a Goddess to protect them.`` Siobhan did not like being center of attention, despite her need to raise her chin, so when the conversation shifted to her, she cleared her throat gently. Her ways were easing to a more calmer manner. Not so prudish. ``There lies another long story Lady Lamont. Culture and pride flow heavy with us, so one could imagine such a change when it came to the Duke and Duchess. We are, however...as my father and I am very proud of..among the few natural born clans that have lives on these lands for hundreds of years. We also, support the Duke and Duchess with everything we have. I share my father's view in the need for a change...a change for the better. Is that a main reason you are in Skye? The Duke and Duchess?``

Rosalind Lamont || "Ah, they pray to the Goddess much in the way a boy calls for his mother in his dying breath, my lady," Rosalind said softly. "They wish her maternal calm, and those protective arms that once righted them from falling and scraping their knees to comfort them now. Ironic, sometimes, but understandable. There is great comfort in familiarity. Would you mind if we walked a bit?" Aldric was now standing before both of them, his sword tip resting on the ground, hilt in both hands, his blue eyes staring impatiently between them. These were not fair maidens in need of rescue. They were his captors, ball and chain. Insisting Siobhan set out first, Rosalind matched her pace. She walked slowly, leisurely, enjoying the feel of the warm air against what little skin was exposed. "The High Lord and Lady must rely upon your clan a great deal. The loyalty of Scotland means much, but Skye is their home. The way Her Grace's eyes turn when she speaks of her people, well, I have great proficiency in many languages, but I cannot find a word to describe them. I am heartened that we have all decided to embrace change, or at least, opened our hearts to such a concept. Ah, no. I came to Skye much as any courtier comes to Skye, to gain favor on behalf of my second husband among the court. But now I can say that I am here to serve the Duke and Duchess, as well as on behalf of Lamont."

Siobhan MacLeod || There were some questions Siobhan was missing on answering fully and some she hinted around. It was not in the attempt to be rude, but because she did not feel she had a good enough answer or a better explanation for them. A more gentle laugh came from Siobhan at the way the woman spoke of how men praised to the Goddess. It was very true. There were many rough and tough men in this world, but being in a woman's womb for the first few months of their life, never seemed to fade on them. Siobhan's husband was very gentle in comparison to her, which was a ticking time bomb for clashing at some point. She did not know yet if he would become a child when sick, or would whine about certain things that hurt him. ``Nay, I do not mind.`` Turning, she took it with ease as the woman held a limp. Her son stood proud, with a look that reminded Siobhan of her uncle, Rufus. She moved first, the guards lingered behind both women and child. ``Aye, that is what brings great respect. They were not born of this land, but they treasure it, some times more then those that actually live here. It is sad to think that brother, had to turn against brother, but had it not been now it would have been later. Best to get that all in the open.`` Eyes drifted towards the woman, then the boy who proudly walked before them. ``How fast our fates change. You came here for one thing and found that, perhaps more then you had come for? I am for alliances, if they serve a good purpose. Sadly, many clans have fallen into the thinking of Maubrey and side with him thinking he will gain them land. It is greed. Do you have hopes to bring Lamont to these lands and gain land for the clan as well?``

Rosalind Lamont || Her limp was slighter now that the weather was more fair. In the cold, pain shot up her leg and she was sometimes seen depending on a cane for support, but in the spring, she was finally able to depend on whole weeks without pain. Pain changed a person, sometimes for good, sometimes for the worse. It made them into base images of themselves, for some. It gave an added veneer to those who were not only used to never complaining, but expected not to do so. Rosalind was of the latter camp, and to the skilled observer, she was ever so slightly in genuine at times, not owing to any falsehood, but to the secret life she had lived behind closed doors. There was nothing inauthentic in her laugh as Aldric dashed forward and continued his play. "It was a necessary purge, as the healers would say. But I do believe there is some bile left among the men. It is only natural and expected, even within one clan. Brother does not fight brother nor father son without some bitterness remaining. Hurt takes a long time to heal; emotional hurt can take generations to reconcile. Such is the way of the world, though we oft will it otherwise. I do hope, though, logic prevails in this instance. Maubrey is finished, and I do not believe there would be much tolerance for more fighting. It has been a long, hard winter for most." Rosalind shook her head slowly. She was, of course, amused at the bold question about gaining land from someone who could potentially be a political rival, but she was nothing if not tactful. If necessarily blunt. "No, my lady, we have no such ambitions. We are content in Argyll."

Siobhan MacLeod || Trying very hard not to accuse, she wanted to ask such things to know. While she was for alliances with clans outside of Skye, Siobhan would admit she would be very easily angered to find out they wanted to come here to Skye and settled down, gaining land for themselves when they have not worked for it over the many years others had. ``That I do agree with as well. It will be hard to once more trust the clans that had turned against us all. Perhaps, not even in my lifetime will such a trust form again.`` Not if her father had anything to say about it. Looking to the woman, she watched the side of her face carefully and then the front of it as she spoke of Lamont not having such ambitions. ``What are Lamont's ambitions then besides an alliance? I have a hard time believing you remain simply because you enjoy the Duke and Duchess, when you are the only Chieftain that the Lamont clan has.``

Rosalind Lamont || Rosalind laughed then. "Ah, my lady, and you say you are not familiar enough to use my Christian name!" She couldn't help but smile at that, not in mockery, but out of true enjoyment of the conversation. Siobhan would be a force to be reckoned with if she was not already. "Lamont's ambitions are to survive, my dear. It has been a long, hard winter for us. We were once a rich clan, in the days of Domhnall's great-grandfather, but we are no longer. We once had vast lands, but those, too, have been sold away. I stay here because in truth, it is more prudent than returning to Inveryne when the men of Lamont must rebuild for themselves, not because I wish a favor from this court." Also, the thought of returning to her home, where over two hundred men, women, and children had been slaughtered was not one she wished to entertain. Some day she would have to, but that day was not yet. She was strong, but she was not immune to pain. "So in the meantime, I shall work on alliances, and serve my lady. I find nothing remiss in these duties."

Siobhan MacLeod || Such a laugh provoked one from Siobhan. ``Aye.. I am blunt to strangers, for many need that push to understand what you are asking. I have tried many times to speak in a more loving tone..they simply stare at me as if I had recited the bible itself.`` The answer of ambitions was not far behind such minor enjoyment. Rosalind did not seem to mock Siobhan and Siobhan was more at ease though still wanting to know what was really going on in the courts. ``You can, perhaps see why from my stand point, I ask such bold and blunt questions. Lamont clan once had many things, but from your own words and mouth, they have them no more. I am not the type of person who will not believe someone's words. I will take yours as truth for now. Know that my suspicions, are because I have a great love for my land...it is the only one I have know and want to know. That means the fight is harder. I find nothing devious about your words. I have one more bold question to ask. What can Lamont, give Skye and the other clans here?``

Rosalind Lamont || "Ah. Eloquence in action, oui?" Rosalind was far too educated for her own good. Reciting the words of Greek philosophers who had lived and died ages ago did nothing to land her a match. Birth had, and then as she would argue, so had bad luck. "I am much of the same school, though I have found in my years, a bit of subtlety and patience can do quite as much as well-placed questions. All eventually reveals itself." She did not thoroughly believe that, either, but for her personal reasons. Not all had revealed itself of Fearghus, even as he died. And she would never reveal all of herself. It was simply not in her nature, nor had it ever been. "Lamont can give Skye a hand in the fight, whatever that fight may be. As we have done, from the very beginning." Rosalind smiled. "As your clan will do, I expect. Lamont makes a good ally. It is the superior power in Argyll, for all our losses. Others' losses were greater, and for that, there is no pride in my voice in announcing this truth. Well. Aldric finally seems to have conquered his dragon. I hope we will have cause to speak again, my lady?" Aldric was now sitting on the ground, tapping the sword on the stones, his hair going in every direction and his blue eyes finally narrowing a bit with exhaustion. Ah, it was a lovely sight, wasn't it? She loved the boy dearly, but did not have anything nearing his energy.

Siobhan MacLeod || A soft sigh came from her lips for a moment. Siobhan knew she had many more years to go. ``I am no fool when it comes to my age. I know..there is much I will learn. In time, I will. It is nice to have some advancement though.`` Learning since a young age, gave her a bit more of a head start in things she should look out for. Siobhan was not all knowing and made mistakes as any teenager would do. Her temper, was a major one. Fighting was a good alliance, but even that did not happen all the time. What good was Lamont when there was time of peace? ``Aye, he has. Thank you for answering my questions. Have a good day, Lady Lamont.`` she watched the woman as she paused and allowed her to keep moving forward. Siobhan turned around and with her guards, headed back into the way she came out.

Exuent

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