Post by Lord Iain Robertson on Mar 13, 2010 11:35:09 GMT -6
Rumors of ill-health were able to dismantle a man in love as swiftly as a sword wielded by a knight... But rumors of death would send a lover to the very ends of sanity. Iain now stood on the precipice of sanity as he looked at his men readying for war. Broken from thought, a blacksmith handed him his sword that had just been sharpened.
No word from Mark, nor any verification of Chloestrain’s death... Iain would turn to the only one he trusted with his emotions... Siobhan... Ordering his horse saddled and brought to Dun Durroch’s gate, then mounting the beast, he looked to Paul... “I’ll return in three days hence... I am riding to see MacLeod...” and with that he spurred the animal into a quick run, not even receiving a reply from Paul...
North he rode, north, deep into MacLeod land... land long guarded only lightly due to the blood-alliance that Iain and Siol agreed to once he took over the Robertson clan, reassuring a long-time alliance between the MacLeod and Robertson. Years of not trusting Lord Alexander Robertson, Siol gladly listened to Iain and his plan for a new Robertson clan...but ill-health and a devious plan of marrying Keliana Reed, Iain took the chieftainship. That agreement cost him his true love, but solidified the alliance with the MacLeod.
The prancing horse held a man announcing his desire to see the Chief... “Tis Lord Iain o’ the Robertson. I have come to see Siol or Rufus...” he bellowed out... yet he desired to speak to Lady Siobhan. When she leaned over the edge to see what was going on, Iain smiled and waved... “Open the gates girl...”
Riders were always abound in the lands of MacLeod. They never left their lands without eyes every where to see the on goings of both royal and peasant life. When Iain was spotted riding along the country side, a rider had moved swiftly ahead to make certain that Siol knew. When news reached the gates, Siobhan had been walking along the great halls only to hear the call of the rider. It was not every day that another chieftain came riding alone towards the lands of another. Already the messenger had come a week ago stating that war was coming and the alliance between the families would be put into affect. Now Iain was here in person!
Siobhan would not miss the chance to see him and shove her nose into men's affairs. Silks that bound her curvy and still growing womanly body moved in a flowing motion around her as booted feet stomped against the stone flooring and head for the closet window. Siobhan waited for what seemed forever before she heard the shouts and leaned over to peer down at Iain. A wicked smile curled over her full lips as her long raven hair flowed over her shoulder almost as if she were putting the story of a long haired maiden to life. "AND IF I REFUSE?! WOULD YOU GO BACK TO GET YOUR LOYAL WARRIORS AND COME RISK ME AWAY?" Siobhan teased. "OF COURSE THE GATES SHALL OPEN FOR YOU!" Siobhan gave a nod to the men to do so quickly before she vanished from the window. Her hair followed her in tow.
“Then I shall battle the wall that divides us, aye… and carry yu away across my saddle, and make lands of our own…” he yelled back at her, as if to further the personal story of a knight, slightly tarnished whisking away the long haired maiden to a castle upon a hill; then he chuckled as she had the gates opened.
She had run down the stairs so quickly, that she hiked up her skirts and nearly tripped over them twice. To hell with being a proper lady! She had not see Iain in so long. Years it felt like. Rushing to the main hall, she knew Iain had time to release his horse to the stable boys and come walking into the main hall. Siobhan awaited eagerly for him before she ran straight for him the moment his powerful presence was shown. Uncaring of her manners, Siobhan jumped into his arms to hug him tightly. "You do well to make a young woman eager to hold you!" She teased before pulling back and taking a look at him. "Look at you. You are a man if I have ever seen one! Still with such charming looks! No doubt your mistresses swoon at your very presence. Come! I wish to spend some time with you before my Uncle or Father comes to steal you away." Taking his hand in her own, she pulled him towards the gardens, knowing well that none of them would be there. "To what honor do we have for such a visit?"
Inside the gates, he hurried off the horse without even stopping, the stableman grabbing loose reins. Long strides carried him up the stairs of the castle and into the corridors within… He paused and shifted the sword hilt to the side as he saw her run at him… bounding into open arms, he spun her around, kissing her neck as they embraced, and he set her to her feet. “Lass, yer more beautiful everyday… and quite the fullness of a woman ta boot…” as she stepped back, both looking upon the other… his tongue clicking as he looked upon her features. Siol would probably admonish him for speaking such a manner to a lady, especially Siobhan, but… “Ah lassy, yae charm is e’r appreciated… yae make my head spin…” he winks at her… “But with yer looks and yer good words, I may steal ya from yer Father, an’ claim yae as my own…”
Siobhan truly did not worry on others and what they may think. The clans had known each other for so long, that if there had been rumors it was sure to be from outside of them and among those who did not know them well enough. There was no need to stroke the ego of Iain, but Siobhan did it often if only to get the same gesture in return. Without fail, he complied be it unknowingly or because it was a habit. They both knew they were beautiful people and anyone would be beyond the luck of the stars to have them. "It would surely be a fight between the two of you." She noted. Siol had not been eager to give his daughter away. The next thing Siobhan knew, she was spinning about and being pulled closer. When she had been a virgin, these types of acts did not bother her nor did they affect her. But now, seeing his eyes react the way she knew other's too and feeling a slight bit of evidence that his words were more than true, Siobhan felt a blush creep up her neck and spread over her cheeks. Siobhan was actually blushing! Ugh! It was horrid to look like some young, girly girl!
Childhood friends, never persuaded to be mean to one another, lil Siobhan defended the bastard Robertson boy at every occasion despite him being older, but back then, none would have a chance to argue the fact with even the child of three. Still, a child’s friendship had grown into more than some wished to understand or even could… but they did… His hand circled around hers as she pulled him quickly thru the halls and out to the garden. “Lass, did yae nay know I come ta make ya queen o’the land…” he smiled and winked at her, his arm wrapping around her. If one saw them, they stood face to face, his head bent forward slightly looking down at her… she trying to stand tippty-toe equaling the three inch height difference some… her face up to his. Some would call it a lover’s embrace… BUT…
"Queen would be a fitting title for a lass such as I. I would expect no less." Her tone sounded wicked and seductive, if only to help hide the blush that had crept into her skin.
Moments later, he smiled at her with his slate-grey eyes… he was a man, and she a beautiful woman… and he then maneuvered them to walk again to hide the arousal. “Lord God Siobhan, yu look better each day… someday a man shall be rewarded with yer hand in marriage…” as he walked beside her, his face turned toward her… “But this day, I came to see Siol first… then yu…” he squeezed her hand. “But yu captured my flag first…”
When he spun her back out so they could walk again, Siobhan still stuck close. She had no reason to act any other way with Iain, nor was she embarrassed by his body's reaction. It was taken as a high compliment, since she had heard Iain was a lover of many women. His squeeze was returned. "Mmm, because I am a clever woman! And my mother has blessed me with fine features." She was about to make mention of her already being married, but the topic turned to something of interest.
They walked thru gardens that many times saw these two together… sometimes three, when Chloestrain was around. And it was Siobhan that he came to see … Stopping he turns and faces her. “Siobhan, my darling… rumor has it Searc MacGregor kill’d Chloe… yet, I cannot confirm nor find denial of it…” his hands took hers and his head bowed before her.
He pauses… “And my son, lil Robinson, is in danger from the would-be tanists, and I cannot find out where he is… There is no word from Mark… nothing.” He just shook his head, then looked at her. “If not for yu, I would go mad…”
Iain did not have to worry about stopping her, for those words made her pause in her steps, yet she never released his hand. That was a shame, truly it was. She knew how much Iain cared for the woman; he wrote many times about her. Was this what the war was about?
"I am so sorry Iain. I know your heart truly cared for her like no other's." Siobhan's wicked smile had long since faded on her pale face as cadet blue eyes stared up at him slightly. The expression was anything but calm, almost sad. A rare expression indeed that crossed Siobhan's features. "As have your letters. Times have been rough, but not as rough as your agony seems. What will you do?"
It had been a shock to hear about a son, but Iain was a man who should have one. But where was he? "Iain.." Her hands tightened in his own. "This is what the war is about isn't it? It is about Chloe and your son?" Siobhan was not sure if she should be angry or not about that assumption. She was trying to be mature and look to the point of the heart. "If you do not have proof, why does the finger point to Searc? Did he know of Chloe and you?"
He looked up at her… “At first it was… I was to go alone to find Chloe and Robinson… and yes to kill Searc… but Pauli and Tomas would not allow me to go alone… then others shared the same desires… Then we received word that the MacDonald had heard about it, and according to sources unnamed, the MacDonald out of Kyleakin were going to move against the MacGregor to gain back lost land… and to take over the shipping business there…”
He shook his head… “The MacDonald did everyone wrong not so long ago, and favor not the Mo’r Triath still… I fear this has blown up far more than I can handle… The MacDonald are strong and will run over the MacGregor for sure… and are for sure a match for us… they too have backing from the southern Borderers…”
He looks to her… “Aye, Searc knew… long before they were married… He did it to spite me, for he too had a hand in the treachery Alexander spun… Oh such a web Alexander has spun…” he shakes his head.
Then he began to explain the last few years, of Alexander’s ill-health, the lewd agreement for Iain to be granted Chief, only IF he married Keliana of the Reed clan, solidifying the divided Robertson… and the agreement between Searc and his mother Ivella, and Lord Alexander, to have Chloe marry the wretched Searc… He explained how Keliana managed to get herself pregnant not once, but thrice… and how Alexander intervened each time Iain threatened divorce. He also explained to her his murderous thoughts to end this intrigue, and how Chloe knew someone, inside the MacGregor clan, had poisoned her, not once but twice… “And still the MacDonald are a burr under the saddle… threatening our very existence…”
He looked up to her and her… nine years her senior made no difference between the two friends, for now, nine years were merely a formality long forgotten. Facing her once more, his finger lifted her chin… “Mae apologies lass, I should not have bother yer mind with all this… maybe I should go…” his words did not match his actions… for her held onto her hand just as before. “My life has been misery and intrigue… death and malfeasance for as long as I know…and I am wrong for involving yu, but tis yu and Chloe that have kept me sane all these years…” She was tall for a woman, yet still shorter than he… Slate-grey eyes peered into cadet blues eyes and flickered back and forth…
No word from Mark, nor any verification of Chloestrain’s death... Iain would turn to the only one he trusted with his emotions... Siobhan... Ordering his horse saddled and brought to Dun Durroch’s gate, then mounting the beast, he looked to Paul... “I’ll return in three days hence... I am riding to see MacLeod...” and with that he spurred the animal into a quick run, not even receiving a reply from Paul...
North he rode, north, deep into MacLeod land... land long guarded only lightly due to the blood-alliance that Iain and Siol agreed to once he took over the Robertson clan, reassuring a long-time alliance between the MacLeod and Robertson. Years of not trusting Lord Alexander Robertson, Siol gladly listened to Iain and his plan for a new Robertson clan...but ill-health and a devious plan of marrying Keliana Reed, Iain took the chieftainship. That agreement cost him his true love, but solidified the alliance with the MacLeod.
The prancing horse held a man announcing his desire to see the Chief... “Tis Lord Iain o’ the Robertson. I have come to see Siol or Rufus...” he bellowed out... yet he desired to speak to Lady Siobhan. When she leaned over the edge to see what was going on, Iain smiled and waved... “Open the gates girl...”
Riders were always abound in the lands of MacLeod. They never left their lands without eyes every where to see the on goings of both royal and peasant life. When Iain was spotted riding along the country side, a rider had moved swiftly ahead to make certain that Siol knew. When news reached the gates, Siobhan had been walking along the great halls only to hear the call of the rider. It was not every day that another chieftain came riding alone towards the lands of another. Already the messenger had come a week ago stating that war was coming and the alliance between the families would be put into affect. Now Iain was here in person!
Siobhan would not miss the chance to see him and shove her nose into men's affairs. Silks that bound her curvy and still growing womanly body moved in a flowing motion around her as booted feet stomped against the stone flooring and head for the closet window. Siobhan waited for what seemed forever before she heard the shouts and leaned over to peer down at Iain. A wicked smile curled over her full lips as her long raven hair flowed over her shoulder almost as if she were putting the story of a long haired maiden to life. "AND IF I REFUSE?! WOULD YOU GO BACK TO GET YOUR LOYAL WARRIORS AND COME RISK ME AWAY?" Siobhan teased. "OF COURSE THE GATES SHALL OPEN FOR YOU!" Siobhan gave a nod to the men to do so quickly before she vanished from the window. Her hair followed her in tow.
“Then I shall battle the wall that divides us, aye… and carry yu away across my saddle, and make lands of our own…” he yelled back at her, as if to further the personal story of a knight, slightly tarnished whisking away the long haired maiden to a castle upon a hill; then he chuckled as she had the gates opened.
She had run down the stairs so quickly, that she hiked up her skirts and nearly tripped over them twice. To hell with being a proper lady! She had not see Iain in so long. Years it felt like. Rushing to the main hall, she knew Iain had time to release his horse to the stable boys and come walking into the main hall. Siobhan awaited eagerly for him before she ran straight for him the moment his powerful presence was shown. Uncaring of her manners, Siobhan jumped into his arms to hug him tightly. "You do well to make a young woman eager to hold you!" She teased before pulling back and taking a look at him. "Look at you. You are a man if I have ever seen one! Still with such charming looks! No doubt your mistresses swoon at your very presence. Come! I wish to spend some time with you before my Uncle or Father comes to steal you away." Taking his hand in her own, she pulled him towards the gardens, knowing well that none of them would be there. "To what honor do we have for such a visit?"
Inside the gates, he hurried off the horse without even stopping, the stableman grabbing loose reins. Long strides carried him up the stairs of the castle and into the corridors within… He paused and shifted the sword hilt to the side as he saw her run at him… bounding into open arms, he spun her around, kissing her neck as they embraced, and he set her to her feet. “Lass, yer more beautiful everyday… and quite the fullness of a woman ta boot…” as she stepped back, both looking upon the other… his tongue clicking as he looked upon her features. Siol would probably admonish him for speaking such a manner to a lady, especially Siobhan, but… “Ah lassy, yae charm is e’r appreciated… yae make my head spin…” he winks at her… “But with yer looks and yer good words, I may steal ya from yer Father, an’ claim yae as my own…”
Siobhan truly did not worry on others and what they may think. The clans had known each other for so long, that if there had been rumors it was sure to be from outside of them and among those who did not know them well enough. There was no need to stroke the ego of Iain, but Siobhan did it often if only to get the same gesture in return. Without fail, he complied be it unknowingly or because it was a habit. They both knew they were beautiful people and anyone would be beyond the luck of the stars to have them. "It would surely be a fight between the two of you." She noted. Siol had not been eager to give his daughter away. The next thing Siobhan knew, she was spinning about and being pulled closer. When she had been a virgin, these types of acts did not bother her nor did they affect her. But now, seeing his eyes react the way she knew other's too and feeling a slight bit of evidence that his words were more than true, Siobhan felt a blush creep up her neck and spread over her cheeks. Siobhan was actually blushing! Ugh! It was horrid to look like some young, girly girl!
Childhood friends, never persuaded to be mean to one another, lil Siobhan defended the bastard Robertson boy at every occasion despite him being older, but back then, none would have a chance to argue the fact with even the child of three. Still, a child’s friendship had grown into more than some wished to understand or even could… but they did… His hand circled around hers as she pulled him quickly thru the halls and out to the garden. “Lass, did yae nay know I come ta make ya queen o’the land…” he smiled and winked at her, his arm wrapping around her. If one saw them, they stood face to face, his head bent forward slightly looking down at her… she trying to stand tippty-toe equaling the three inch height difference some… her face up to his. Some would call it a lover’s embrace… BUT…
"Queen would be a fitting title for a lass such as I. I would expect no less." Her tone sounded wicked and seductive, if only to help hide the blush that had crept into her skin.
Moments later, he smiled at her with his slate-grey eyes… he was a man, and she a beautiful woman… and he then maneuvered them to walk again to hide the arousal. “Lord God Siobhan, yu look better each day… someday a man shall be rewarded with yer hand in marriage…” as he walked beside her, his face turned toward her… “But this day, I came to see Siol first… then yu…” he squeezed her hand. “But yu captured my flag first…”
When he spun her back out so they could walk again, Siobhan still stuck close. She had no reason to act any other way with Iain, nor was she embarrassed by his body's reaction. It was taken as a high compliment, since she had heard Iain was a lover of many women. His squeeze was returned. "Mmm, because I am a clever woman! And my mother has blessed me with fine features." She was about to make mention of her already being married, but the topic turned to something of interest.
They walked thru gardens that many times saw these two together… sometimes three, when Chloestrain was around. And it was Siobhan that he came to see … Stopping he turns and faces her. “Siobhan, my darling… rumor has it Searc MacGregor kill’d Chloe… yet, I cannot confirm nor find denial of it…” his hands took hers and his head bowed before her.
He pauses… “And my son, lil Robinson, is in danger from the would-be tanists, and I cannot find out where he is… There is no word from Mark… nothing.” He just shook his head, then looked at her. “If not for yu, I would go mad…”
Iain did not have to worry about stopping her, for those words made her pause in her steps, yet she never released his hand. That was a shame, truly it was. She knew how much Iain cared for the woman; he wrote many times about her. Was this what the war was about?
"I am so sorry Iain. I know your heart truly cared for her like no other's." Siobhan's wicked smile had long since faded on her pale face as cadet blue eyes stared up at him slightly. The expression was anything but calm, almost sad. A rare expression indeed that crossed Siobhan's features. "As have your letters. Times have been rough, but not as rough as your agony seems. What will you do?"
It had been a shock to hear about a son, but Iain was a man who should have one. But where was he? "Iain.." Her hands tightened in his own. "This is what the war is about isn't it? It is about Chloe and your son?" Siobhan was not sure if she should be angry or not about that assumption. She was trying to be mature and look to the point of the heart. "If you do not have proof, why does the finger point to Searc? Did he know of Chloe and you?"
He looked up at her… “At first it was… I was to go alone to find Chloe and Robinson… and yes to kill Searc… but Pauli and Tomas would not allow me to go alone… then others shared the same desires… Then we received word that the MacDonald had heard about it, and according to sources unnamed, the MacDonald out of Kyleakin were going to move against the MacGregor to gain back lost land… and to take over the shipping business there…”
He shook his head… “The MacDonald did everyone wrong not so long ago, and favor not the Mo’r Triath still… I fear this has blown up far more than I can handle… The MacDonald are strong and will run over the MacGregor for sure… and are for sure a match for us… they too have backing from the southern Borderers…”
He looks to her… “Aye, Searc knew… long before they were married… He did it to spite me, for he too had a hand in the treachery Alexander spun… Oh such a web Alexander has spun…” he shakes his head.
Then he began to explain the last few years, of Alexander’s ill-health, the lewd agreement for Iain to be granted Chief, only IF he married Keliana of the Reed clan, solidifying the divided Robertson… and the agreement between Searc and his mother Ivella, and Lord Alexander, to have Chloe marry the wretched Searc… He explained how Keliana managed to get herself pregnant not once, but thrice… and how Alexander intervened each time Iain threatened divorce. He also explained to her his murderous thoughts to end this intrigue, and how Chloe knew someone, inside the MacGregor clan, had poisoned her, not once but twice… “And still the MacDonald are a burr under the saddle… threatening our very existence…”
He looked up to her and her… nine years her senior made no difference between the two friends, for now, nine years were merely a formality long forgotten. Facing her once more, his finger lifted her chin… “Mae apologies lass, I should not have bother yer mind with all this… maybe I should go…” his words did not match his actions… for her held onto her hand just as before. “My life has been misery and intrigue… death and malfeasance for as long as I know…and I am wrong for involving yu, but tis yu and Chloe that have kept me sane all these years…” She was tall for a woman, yet still shorter than he… Slate-grey eyes peered into cadet blues eyes and flickered back and forth…
