Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Bømlo

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun Edman (Future Citizen) in Earth - Bømlo

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Bømlo
Posted by… suppressed (20) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(snip)
“As for how you can help? First, I’d like your blessing and permission to go get her. Second, I’d like you help her process wha’ happened. I know she needs some time. So she has four more days, that’ll make a week.” and he nodded slightly at Cuyler. “And last… as a personal favor… could ye make certain she’s nae got anything sharp or pointy at hand when I come? I’d hate to start our marriage off with a mortal wound.” and he grinned as he took a drink.

Seamus McKenzie, Foresight Is Key

Now Cuyler really laughed, slapped his knee and after a moment took a deep breath. “Sorry, sorry. First of all this is Viking territory, you don’t need my blessing but if you want it, you have it, Seamus. We’ll get her settled and put to rights, though I can’t say that will help you. Ragna…well she’s all fire.” He chuckled again, “Aye I’ll make sure she’s got nothing sharp and pointy, nothing blunt either. Now part of this will be up to your timing, she practices every day, so you’d best not show up while she’s doing that. There’s a hunters blind southwest in the village. No one knows it’s there but me an my wife. When you’re chief you gotta get creative about being left alone sometimes. I suggest you keep an eye out there. I don’t suppose she’ll have time to pack,” and he laughed again, “My brother or I will drop her things off to your boat that morning. She’ll be after getting a new blade so I’ll make sure my brother takes his time on that one. There’s a fisherman’s hut just around the bend there,” Cuyler pointed. “You’re welcome to it, or you’re welcome to stay in the village but....that’s ruin the surprise. She’s due back tomorrow night.”
Cuyler, I’m getting a front row seat

“I’ll stay in the forest. Less chance anyone finds me and asks questions. The last night I’ll go to the blind. Mid-morning I will come for her. Should I come to your home?”

Seamus McKenzie, Planning For The Future

“Lad you come for her where and when you want, my home, the village center, sneak in her bedroom window for all I care. Mid-morning though, she’ll probably headed to the meadery.”

---

4 Days Later

Ragna was miserable, there was a gaping hole where Seamus should have been, and he wasn’t. The first day she’d spent in the archives double checking things she’d learned. The other half the day she trained, whacking away at training dummies and anyone dumb enough to agree. The second day she’d bugged her Uncle about a new sword, helped in the forge got in the way, annoyed him, the man wouldn’t move faster. Her aunt sat with her, tried to talk to her, gave her tea to help with her head. Though they all knew it wasn’t the migraine or it’s after affects bothering her now. That night she called Revna, apologizing. She hadn’t been able to get the papers and her letter delivered. Revna, as always, was caring compassionate and dug until Ragna told her what was going on. When Ragna told her she couldn’t breath anymore, it broke Revna. She knew what that was like. She called her Da insistent to know what was going on. He told Revna, Revna told Mike, she made her Da promise to get a vid. The third day, Cuyler worked with her till she couldn’t pick the blade up anymore, which meant almost all day. Then Helka took her and they had a long talk. She called Revna again, this time begging her to call the marriage void. Revna refused, telling her she had to wait: a year and a day. That was the law. She cried, sobbed, every night.

The fourth morning she was up early, before everyone else, unable to sleep, she called Runa this time, and Runa offered to come home. She cajoled Ragna into eating something while she watched, threatening to call their mom if she didn’t. Once the comm went black Runa swore in Norwegian and seriously considered getting someone in the village to tell Seamus to get a move on. Really what was it with McKenzie boys and waiting to get their women? AND MAKING THEM CRY! Mike’s bar and a few dents in the wall that day.

Ragna loved her clan, but she didn’t feel much like watching them be happy. She crossed the village center heading straight for the meadery. Cuyler was already out as always, working at the fence. “Ragna! Toss me your knife. Mine just broke. I’ve got to get this fence fixed before that bull decides he needs more children this season.” Ragna stopped, pulled the knife from her side and handed it to him. If she’d been wearing boots she’d have offered him those too. Da was always breaking knives. “There ya go, only one I’ve got today.” She headed off without a word.

Cuyler chuckled, watched her leave and then turned and walked away, grabbing his wife, his brother and his sister-in-law while he was at it. He whispered in his wife’s ear, making her blush and glance back over his shoulder before ducking out of the way with him.

Ragna Edman, Existing isn’t Living

“Ragna Idun Edman!” boomed a familiar brogue. “I am here for you! I have chased through wind, through rain, through storm and sea! I have come to take you home… Ragna.” Seamus walked from the other side of the the square in the center of the village. He was dressed in the McKenzie tartan, in kilt and over his shoulder. His claymore across his back. And in his hand… her sword.

Ragna stopped, cold, frozen in place. The yawning relentless darkness opened clawing at her heart. Why? Why was he there? The sound of the her name on his lips nearly broke her. Her chest felt shredded and her throat closed, she couldn’t breathe. He should have been home, but he rejected her. There were whispers from the clan as they responded to the booming voice, most curious, but some armed. Then stares and pointing at her sword in his hands. Others, whispered “McKenzie” and chuckled and found a place to watch. She shook her head, no, it wasn’t her sword anymore, she’d thrown it away. Oddver said he .... meddlesome uncle. She looked around but the village center was strangly empty of her family, including her father who claimed to be fixing a fence.

“Home.... Ragna. Where you gave me your sword and I hung it by OUR hearth! Our home… Ragna. Where I fed you, shared my fire with you, and sheltered you from nature’s fury. Where you wore my family’s tartan and refused to lay it on the ground, even in your fury. Our home… Ragna. Where my heart stopped beating the moment your foot left the shore. I am here for you. And I’ll nae leave without you.” He walked straight up to her and said “Come home… Ragna. Because it is yours. In its entirity… as am I. And always will be.”

Seamus McKenzie, If I Say It Loud Enough She’ll Believe It

He kept saying her name like it belonged to him, like he knew every time he said it he was creating another tie from her heart to him. It HURT. Why? Why was he there, wasn’t once enough?! She stood on that shore for hours, he could have come then. If what he said was true he could have come THEN. He didn’t. Two days sail from McKenzie lands to here, transporters make it instantaneous. He could have come sooner, but he didn’t. She needed to go home. She opened her mouth not even sure what she would say.

“NO!” Ragna blinked and her gaze focused behind him and she groaned....Sivert Oyen, with a sword he couldn’t wield, baring down on them. Screaming obscenities and threatening blood oaths. And then Oddver and Devlin came out of no where, scooped him up by either arm and drug him away. Devlin clamping a hand over his mouth before Sivert said something really stupid. Oddver glanced back and nodded once to Seamus, “Sorry about that, carry on.” He looked pointedly at Ragna, “Go on answer him girl!”

Ragna stared at him, the pain raw and endless. Her voice for once wasn’t raised but whispered, “You rejected me Seamus. Why are you here?” She wouldn’t cry, not here…

Ragna Edman, If it’s true why did he wait?

“Rejected you? Love… I never did.” and he looked down at her and smiled a warm, gentle, caring smile. “Wife… Ragna… think a bit, love. You say I returned your blade, there was it? Where did I put it? Left of the hearth. And where is your mother’s right now? Left of the hearth. Because the lady of the house keeps her blade there. I didn’t reject it… Ragna. I put it where it belongs. Where it still belongs. And when you sailed away? I picked it up, cleaned it, oiled it…” and he held it flat out to her, “… and I brought it with me so you can see that I still have it. That…” and he reached up to his shirt and pulled out a fine steel chain, on which hung…

She wanted to believe him, she needed to believe him. But she couldn’t. Even if it was true…she’d admit only to herself, she was too afraid of loosing him. The last days almost killed her, if that gods should take him she’d never survive it.

The rune she threw at him.

Inguz–Faolan McKenzie’s standard, etched into the claymore crosspiece.

”… and this.” He dropped it flat against his chest and said “You love me. I know you do.” and he took a few steps back and said very loudly “But if this isn’t real… if what we shared isn’t what I say… then call me a liar. Tell me here… in front of your kin, clan, family and the gods themselves that you don’t love me. Tell me that and I will get on my boat and go. Look me in da eye and say ‘Seamus McKenzie I do not love you.’ and I will leave and you never have to see me again. Say it… If you can.”

And he looked her right in the eye and said “I’ll bet you you can’t.” and he winked at her.

Seamus McKenzie, When All Else Fails, Go To The Replay

Seamus McKenzie

Her eyes flashed, she saw it all, like a waking dream, but not in her minds eye, but with her physical eyes. They were no longer in the village, but on the rocky shore of the McKenzie lands. And he stood legs spread, arms crossed, claymore strapped to his back, her bearded ax flung through his belt. “But if this isn’t real… if what we shared isn’t what I say… then call me a liar. Tell me here… in front of your kin, clan, family and the gods themselves that you don’t love me. Tell me that and I will let you get on your boat without me and go. Look me in da eye and say ‘Faolan McKenzie I do not love you.’ and I will let you leave and you never have to see me again. Say it… If you can.” And she couldn’t say it then....

She blinked her, her vision returning to normal. “I’m NOT Amalie Edman and you are NOT Faolan McKenzie!”

There were gasps from the older villagers, and a subtle snap of fingers from Cuyler and Oddver took off elsewhere
Ragna Edman, The Gods love Sequels

Seamus looked at her, confusion evident, and he said “Who… Ragna? I don’t know those names, but I know this… you do love me. Because you couldn’t say it.” He took the steps needed to cover the gap between them and said “Ragna Idun Edman, I love you and by the gods and every part of my soul you are my wife.” And with those words, he reached out and lifted her off the ground like he had when he kissed her in the hilltop. But this time, he kissed her like a husband… and then threw her over his shoulder and began to walk away without a word.

Seamus McKenzie, Please Don’t Let Me Trip

Destiny.

It was telling, and the whole village was commenting, that she could have taken the blade from him when he showed it to her, but she left it IN. HIS. HANDS. An amused masculine murmur went through the crowd when he slid her sword through his belt and began to advance on her. “KISS HER MCKENZIE!” “She won’t argue!” “Haul her off already!”

She took a step back as he advanced, and another. “Let him kiss you, Ragna!” “It will fix EVERYTHING!” And knowing laughter rippled around the village. Fire lit in her eyes, she was sure he was having a blast drawing attention like this. And then she was being hauled into his arms, lifted off the ground and kissed. Ragna melted and the ache in her chest was gone, just like the migraine, and the hole inside herself was filled with him. It was an eternity and over too soon.

She was staring at his backside....his arm wrapped around her thighs holding her still and keeping her from slipping away. “SEAMUS PUT ME DOWN!”

Ragna Edman....wait…McKenzie? I have no idea

“No! You refuse me as a your husband, you refuse to say you love me, and you refuse to just come home on your own… hvis dette er hvordan jeg fikser dette og viser deg at jeg er seriøs, så vær det!” (if this is how I fix this and show you Im serious, so be it!).

“FINT! Sett meg ned! (FINE! Put me down!).”

He carried her past her mother, father, and uncle. “She’ll be fine at our house in three days.” he said as he marched her past. “Four days past that, come and we’ll figure out how to help Revna and Michael. And don’t worry about… Ragna.” and he patted her airborne derriere. “She’ll be loved so much she’ll punch me in the face.” and he kept on walking.

Seamus McKenzie, Hope They Packed The Boat Or This Will Be Awkward

Cuyler looked at Oddver, “You get it all?” Oddver nodded, “Even got the bearded ax, hid it on the boat too just in case.”

He did NOT just smack her rear, but punching him in the face sure sounded like a good idea. Right as they got to the very edge of the village she hauled her self up right with all intents to punch him in the nose, but she didn’t. Instead there was that same twist of a waking dream and she saw more than what was or had been. “Seamus, jeg elsker deg, legg meg ned, så jeg kan komme hjem med deg som din kone.(Seamus, I love you, put me down, so I can come home with you as your wife.).”

Ragna McKenzie, yeah I surrendered

Seamus stopped dead in his tracks just outside the village. He looked up at her and locked her eyes with his and slowly lowered her to the ground, ensuring she was pressed against him at all times and their eyes never wavered. When her feet hit the ground he put his hand on her cheek and said “Tell me again… Ragna. Tell me you love me…”

Seamus McKenzie, Wait, Did That Actually WORK

Ragna swallowed hard as he slowly lowered her to the ground, held tightly to him. Looking down at him her eyes never left his as her gaze slowly sifted to looking up at him. Her hands rested on his shoulders and held on. She was nervous, stunned, a little afraid of what it all meant, and deeply in love. He said her name again, and it felt like she was home already, that she belonged to him and with him. “YA lyublyu vas (Russian), te amo (Latin), Je vous aime (French) (I love you). Tha gaol agam ort, Seamus. A-nis thoir dhachaigh mi, a dhuine. (I love you, Seamus. Now take me home, husband. Gaelic)” Her heart was racing, chest rising and falling, eyes never leaving his, she pulled her sword out of his belt and pressed the pommel against his chest, over his heart.

“Jeg ble ikke forelsket i deg. Jeg ble forelsket i deg, med øynene åpne, og valgte å ta hvert skritt underveis. Jeg tror på skjebne og skjebne, men jeg tror også at vi bare er skjebnesvangre for å gjøre de tingene vi ville velge uansett. Og jeg vil velge deg; i hundre livstider, i hundre verdener, i hvilken som helst versjon av virkeligheten. Jeg vil finne deg, og jeg vil velge deg, Seamus McKenzie. (I didn’t fall in love with you. I walked into love with you, with my eyes wide open, choosing to take every step along the way. I do believe in fate and destiny, but I also believe we are only fated to do the things that we’d choose anyway. And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality. I’d find you and I’d choose you, Seamus McKenzie. Norwegian)”

“For den som er min andre halvdel, den er din nå. (For he who is my other half, it’s yours now.Norwegian)” And Ragna waited, holding her breath, for him to take the sword back from her.

Ragna McKenzie, No Misunderstandings This Time

Seamus grasped the pommel over her hand and stared down at her forever… or seconds… and then said “Cha robh mi a-riamh dèidheil air, ach bha gaol agam ort a-riamh. Tro seo agus beatha sam bith eile.” (I have never loved before, but I have always loved you. Through this and any other life.) He lowered himself and kissed her fully, his hand squeezing her hand against the pommel of the sword.

She kissed him: it was fire and heat and Life. It gave him, absolutely, all of her, her passions, her pleasures, her fears, her temper, and her body. She kissed him, melting and moulding herself to him, she had always belonged there.

Her vision shifted and before her her vision was filled with him, but she could hear the sea on the rocks. “And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality. I’d find you and I’d choose you, Faolan McKenzie.” His hand squeezed hers over the handle of her ax. His brogue sending shivers through her. “I have never loved before, but I have always loved you. Through this and any other life.” Ragna blinked and her vision cleared, and she kissed him for eternity.

They held the kiss for many moments, and then he pulled away gently and slowly. “An so we have nae misunderstanding, *I’m taking this from you. I’m putting on OUR hearth. And you are my WIFE. Do yea understand now? We. Are. Married. Got it?” and he grinned at her.

Seamus McKenzie, Just To Be Clear

She smiled up at him fire and laughter flashing in her ice blue eyes. “Nae Seamus. I’m giving it and myself into your keeping. You are my husband. We are married, I am your wife. Take me home Seamus, please.”
Ragna, I should have just let him carry me, we’d be gone by now

Seamus smiled and bent down and scooped her off the ground, cradling her and walking across the ground and an almost trot. He stared at her and moved through the woods and down to the shore where he had moored his boat close to the village the night before. He waded into the shallow water and lifted her up and sat her on the railing with her feet dangling over the side. He reached up and grasped the rail and heaved himself up and onto the rail next to her. He kissed her and said “Let’s go home, wife.” and he smiled loved to raise the anchor.

Three days later, they walked hand in hand towards the door when a black streak came crashing out if the woods and barreled into both of them, knocking them both to the ground. “ANGUS!!! DAMMIT YE DAFT GRABAGE EXCUSE FOR A GOAT!!” Seamus yelled as he tried to find his feet.

Angus looked at Ragna and bounced up and down bleating loudly and happily.

Seamus McKenzie, I Should Have Had Goats

Ragna looked up from her prone position just in time to dodge the happily dancing hooves. She reached up quickly grabbing one of his horns and bodily dragging his head down. “Bad Angus.” But the rebuke was lost in her laughter. “You daft ram! Could have broken a rib!” She was really thankful for the moss and heather that cushioned the fall. Still holding one horn to keep the overly excited animal under some control, she pet his muzzle. “Yes we’re happy to see you too, ya wooly train wreck.” She got her other hand around his other horn and pushed him back while she sat up. Before letting him go she whispered in the Ram’s ear her eyes dancing at Seamus. Whatever it was made Angus happy and as soon as she let him go he started bouncing and bleating about the yard. She glanced at Seamus, both of them sprawled on the ground. “He keeps that up everytime we leave and come back he may need a high walled pen!” She yelled after the still bouncing animal.

Ragna McKenzie, One of Angus’ Ladies

“He may need a hot pot of stew, ye wee nob!” Seamus yelled at the ram, but he smiled and said “Come ‘ere, ye black-bearded git.” Angus bounced and bounced but then came over and butted Seamus’s chest gently, head down. “Aye, I missed ya too. Did ya keep things in order while I went and fetched your ma? Huh? Did ya?” he asked as he grabbed a horn with one hand and scratched the top of the head with the other. Seamus looked at Ragna and said “Well… welcome home, love.” and he smiled at her.

Seamus McKenzie, STILL Should Have Had Goats

Ragna smiled at him, Home She leaned back on her elbows and stared up at the sky, breathing in the air, the scent of Scotland, of Home. She turned flashing eyes on him, a knowing smirk crossing her lips. “This isn’t home, Husband.” She nodded toward the house, “Home is where my sword is hung, and last I checked it wasn’t in there.” She eyed her sword hanging from his hip, claymore at his back. Hmmmm…yeah he was her home. But she also loves pushing his buttons.

Ragna McKenzie, I’m not home, yet

Seamus smiled and said “Home is also where the hearth is warm and my wife waits with arms open to welcome me back from a successful hunt. So I’m supposin’ we both have some work to do before we can say we made it home… my Ragna.” and he smiled and kissed her before standing up and holding out a hand to her.

Right before he kissed her, she held her arms out to the side and glanced from one hand to the other. “Like this?” And then she kissed him back, smiling the whole time. She took his hand as he pulled her up. It was an amazing feeling, the warmth of his hand engulfing her own, the strength and security in it. His Ragna, it sent shivers down her spine, heat pooled, and butterflies settled.

“Up, wife. I have a swords to hang and dinner to catch. And you…” and he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up so she was face to face with him, “… have bags to unpack and a place to make your own. This is now our home… Ragna. I’ll get us some rabbits. You get our home put together.” and he leaned in slowly and kissed her, exploring the taste of her lips and mouth and committing it to his memory for his hunt.

Seamus McKenzie, Husband of Ragna

The way he said ‘our home’s made her smile and had her staring at the house in front of her. If Ragna had built her own house, this would be it. One room, heated by a fire, no technology, living off the land, and a foundation centuries old. She didn’t think about that too much, not yet. Ragna was a deeply spiritual person, but some things needed time to reconcile. He kissed her, and the universe stopped while he held her. He’d kissed her several time on the boat, but this time was different, it was more. It promised so much and teasingly warned of so much as well. When they finally parted and he let her feet touch the ground she found her breath. “So Seamus, this whole warm hearth thing…would now be a bad time to tell you I can’t light a fire?” She sounded serious, she tugged at his hand like she really needed an answer, but her eyes gave away her amusement.
Ragna McKenzie, Wife of Seamus

Seamus looked at her, the light dancing in her eyes, and he smiled and said “Mrs. Ragna McKenzie… did you just make a joke? Careful, love… people may start ta think you are actually happy to be here.” and he smiled and kissed her again.

The air rushed out of her lungs, whoa....the way he called her Mrs McKenzie made her go still and for the very first time in his presence she blushed. Not out of embarrassment or shyness but happiness and rightness. “I am happy, Seamus.”

He broke the kiss and took her hand and led her inside, shooing Angus away to go scare the sheep into the pen. As they walked inside, Seamus took off her sword, then his. He reached up and placed the giant claymore in it’s spot above the door… and then Ragna’s right below it on new, black iron hooks.

Seamus McKenzie, Yes I Know What I’m Doing

She held his hand as he led her inside and then watched as he placed his claymore above the door. Ragna was really borne in the wrong century. There was palpable sense of safety, security, and home knowing his sword was there above the door. In centuries past it was a practical place for a weapon when you never knew when you would quite literally be using it to defend your home. She smiled with bemusement as he mounted hers right below his. It was her sword but she had given it to him. It was his now, so it could be mounted in the home as his weapon. He accepted it, that’s all that matters to her.

She stepped around him taking in the house. His colors were right where she left them on the bed, the trunk still moved out the way so she could see the crest etched into the foundation. The fire wasn’t even cold though, it was out. She moved toward the hearth intending to light the fire when her eyes landed on the wrongness in the house. “WHAT THE HE&&, SEAMUS. IS THIS A JOKE TO YOU?” Cold fury spread and overtook her where before there had been love and rightness. “YOU HUNG ANOTHER WOMAN’S SWORD ON YOUR HEARTH?!” She yanked it off the stone mantel and spun to face him, hurt and confusion etched over every feature. “Please tell me this is some sick joke by someone in your clan.”

Ragna, he didn’t mean it????

Seamus looked at her and his eyes narrowed and his mouth set in his beard. “Aye! I DID hang another woman’s sword on OUR hearth! And for good reason! And while you go off and start screaming, ye may just want to go ahead and READ IT A’FORE YOU ACCUSE ME!!” He stomped over to corner opposite the carving and opened a long chest, pulled a ash wood bow and a quiver out of it and said “I’M going to get dinner. Maybe you’ll have your head outta yer arse by the time I’m back!” and he threw open the door and left it open as he stomped off down the path and into the woods.

Seamus McKenzie, Yep… Fire, The Both Of Them

She watched in shock as he walked away. She looked down at the sword she was holding, it looked similar to hers, but the engravings read: Airson an neach a chumas a chridhe agus a dhachaigh. (For the one who keeps his heart and home) in Gaelic on one side of the crosspiece; Hans far og mor passer på dere begge (His Father And Mother Watch Over you both) in Norwegian on the other.

She walked out the door spotted him heading for the path. “Angus, get him!” And she pointed towards Seamus running as she strapped the sword to her waisted. She ate the distance easily.

Angus, bless his little Ram’s heart took off at a run and cut right across Seamus’s path. Pawing the ground and then head butting him hard, herding Seamus back the other way. Ragna reached them, grabbed Seamus by the shoulder and dodged around in front of him. She grabbed the front of his shirt pulled him down to her and kissed him. And by the gods she wasn’t stopping till he responded and they both had had enough.

Ragna McKenzie, when you play with fire