Hope Falls

"You will find love," Kael assured, getting to his feet to get them more to drink. "Love that doesn't cause murder and siege and.... oh the drama of our story." He chuckled. "It is so fitting though, and you will find something just as fitting again. It will surpass what we were, and it will be permanent, albeit cause less international violence."

---

"Tired? What do I seem now?"

“I do not think so, but it is not a conversation we need to have.” Indira shook her head, finishing her glass.

---

“You seem a little happier than then, but there’s still the sadness there, the tiredness that your life isn’t exactly as you wish it to be.”

"I watch Luca, on occasion and wonder if we appear similar. Having to flee your home, your relations murdering your parents and... running for your life for - for centuries. I know how I am criticised, how he is too, for running but I don't believe we're given enough credit. Magnus doesn't give enough, Isolde doesn't. Being viewed as the weakest leader in the continent is insulting, after it all."

---

"I think it is. You will find someone, I am not going to be your peak. Absolutely not, I won't allow it. I was the starter, the main course is coming."

Indira just shook her head, filling up another glass and swishing the alcohol around in it before drinking that in one go. “My love life isn’t something for you to worry about, I’ll be just fine as I am, with my family around me.”

---

“They believe because they’ve been here longer that it means they are doing it better. They’re wrong.”

"I dislike the conversation only being about me," kael sighed.

---

"It is you who is doing things right, when it comes to the country." Conan argued gently. "I done well, I will never discredit myself on it, during he wars. I was involved, on a battlefield much more than Magnus or Isolde was. Gave up every home comfort i adore, and they all know I adore it. After the fact though, warfare is easier."

“Okay - what makes you think that anyone will find me suitable? I’m ruined, Kael. Any man that’s from here will loathe me as the rest of the population does because of my name, because of who my family are. Not only do I have a child with the future King, which attaches me to you forever, but I can’t have any more either, so any man who wishes to be with me will either have to give up hope of a family or have one already.” Indira swallowed, shaking her head. “You are naive if you think that I will not be on the shelf for the rest of my life. I accepted a long time ago that someone loving me the way I have loved would be a very slim possibility but now that I can’t even do the full job of being someone’s wife and giving them an heir? There’s nothing in my future like that anymore Kael, and that is why I do not want to discuss it, it’s hard.”

---

“I do half the work, you do the other. If we were not equals then the result wouldn’t be good, as it is.”

"Only people of power, and money care about that shit Indira. Heirs, and... how yiu are related to royalty. Florence is a wolf, we were at war with them and Wyatt adores her. Avani and Cavanaugh, even before their bond clicked in, the chemistry was there - even in Baldruun. You are tackling your future like a Princess, not like a... person "

---

"I appreciate that," Conan whispered. "Thanks."

Indira just shook her head, staring into her glass. “I have to be happy with what I have, because it is all I will have. To think, to hope otherwise, that someone may end up feeling for me? When it doesn’t happen it’ll hurt too much to think about…”

---

“You talk of them not giving you credit but you do not give yourself any.”

"I know it will though. I know it will, how can't it? Have you - have you met yourself?" Kael laughed quietly. "I don't think you have, not how I see you you, or your sister or Morfydd, Florence and Wyatt ans Rauiri and... the list goes on, and on."

---

"I try to,"

“I’m so brilliant that when myself is my only company I literally go insane.” Indira pointed out with a snort, unable to stop herself from laughing, “Another reason I am unsuitable. Imagine explaining that to someone? That they cannot leave me alone or else I’ll lose my grip on my own mind.”

---

“Try harder, that is an order from your Queen.”

"It isn't true though! It isn't true, and it horrified me that you believe the whispers. It is not when you are alone, it is when you are scared, when you are under pressure. When all of the walls feel like they are falling in, and the light is fading and the air is leaving your lungs. You hit out, I - I can not describe what I do other than break because it is a blur for me afterwards too." Kael laughed anxiously, taking her hands to grip them. "You will find someone who understands it, I promise. I - I don't think Daphne understands my... moments yet... but she is trying."

---

"Mm, my Queen?" Conan echoed, voice low. "Interesting."

Indira allowed him to take her hands, needing a moment before she laced her fingers with his. “Whilst you’re consulting the Seers about the seas, ask about my future partner mm?” She joked weakly.

---

“Mm, your Queen.” Liara nodded, leaning up and pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

"I will, if it is what it takes for you to believe me. I do wish you'd believe me anyway though, without Seers. Seers who - Have you met the new head Seer? Maela?"

---

"Not my wife?" He questioned, closing his eyes as he kissed her back.

“No, I remember you mentioning you’d be getting one. I bet your mother is pleased with more experience.”

---

“Your wife only orders you around in the bedchamber, do not worry.”

"I had a brief conversation with her earlier, very... confident. Astute. I can't work out how I feel about her as a person yet, but to say she isn't skilled would be an insult."

---

"I do like it in the bed chamber." Conan chuckled.

“Hopefully she delivers us the news we wish to hear, that it all works out for us in the end, and we can say goodbye to our sons.”

---

“I know you do.” Liara grinned, kissing him gently once more before pulling away. “Should I leave you with your children, some time alone?”

"I hope I can get on with her, not getting on with the Head Seer when I take the crown isn't something I thought I'd have to consider." Kael hummed, slipping an arm around Indira's shoulders to pull her into an embrace. "You are sure you want this symbol marked on your skin?"

“I do, the symbol of our family…”

"I'll get it organised then, let you know when a date it booked for it. The sooner the better."

---

Conan nodded subtly, pressing his lips to her forehead. "I'll see you later."

Indira nodded with a content smile, resting her head against his shoulder.

---

“I’ll not be far if you need me.” Liara assured before leaving the room.

Conan nodded before returning to his children, lowering himself down to perch on the edge of Aesira's bed. Taking one of her hands in his, as his other moved across Cassius's shoulders to bring him in.

Cassius tensed beneath his father's grip, eyes looking downward to stare at the ground.

---

"You will speak to Avani too? About staying here so you and I can go across?"

“I’ll speak to her.” Indira nodded, “I’m just not sure of the outcome…”

---

“How can you be over there being all in love with another woman while mum probably in chains as we speak?” Aesira asked, voice thick. “You have duties for an heir I understand but you did not need to fall in love with her…”

"Liara is going to work with me, with us, to help your mother. To try and get her out of that place, I am not leaving her there, under any circumstances." Conan assured with a quiet determination. "I am still in love with your mother."

"Don't fucking lie. You're fickle, can't stick to anything."

---

"Tell her I'll see if someone else will come with us, rather than Cavanaugh so that they won't be seperate. Though it can't be Wyatt, after what he has been through..."

“Would be easier for you if she didn’t come back though wouldn’t it?”

---

“Do you have anyone you trust to that level?”

"No." Conan laughed at the absurdity of it, shaking his head. "Being forced to get on with life does not mean I love your mother any less, it doesn't mean that I don't miss it, it doesn't mean that my heart doesn't ache as much as the two of yours does. I am counting down the days."

"Mm, with a little delicate shoulder to cry on, and her bed to lay in." Cassius spat. "Until the new child comes along, then you'll palm us off like you have with mother."

---

"I - no." Kael laughed humourlessly. "I just can't ask Wyatt, and Rauiri staying may be what keeps your sister here."