The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

A Short Walk in a Pretty Town

The days to come were subdued, thanks to the O'Driscoll's and Kieran's untimely death. There was no speaking, no laughing, not even a poker game. The gang was taking his death a lot harder than anyone imagined.

Kieran wasn't really apart of the gang, but he was one of them. He was scared, shy and awkward, though willing to fight if he had to. He might've even become apart of the gang, had he lived. 

Dutch called an emergency meeting the day after Kieran's death. He was angry, as well as everyone else, but there was a sense of grief behind every word he spoke. Everyone was mourning Kieran, but for Dutch to be affected by his death, was a surprise. 

The need for revenge was crucial. If they didn't retaliate, it would show the enemy that they were weak. So Dutch planned a meeting with Sheriff Gray in Rhodes and if he knew anything at all, it would end up in an ambush. And that would be all the proof they needed to retaliate against the O'Driscoll's.

Arthur hated having to go anywhere with Micah or Bill - one was dumber than a sack of potatoes and the other was so full of rage and hatred. But Dutch insisted. 

He didn't particularly enjoy going anywhere with Sean either, mainly because Hosea compared to Sean to him numerous times. He personally didn't see it, but then again, one couldn't see their own traits in another person, unless pointed out by someone else. And if Sean wasn't such an ass, he may have accepted it.

"Do you really think a meeting with Sheriff Gray will work? I mean..."Lorna sighed and folded her arms."I-I don't really think tattling on the O'Driscoll's will help the situation any."

"We gotta do what's best. Right now, kissin' Dutch's ass will help keep us alive."

She raised a brow."Oh, so that's what you're doing? Kissing his ass, hoping things work out, not really knowing if they will. Am I right?" 

Arthur stood up, buckling his gun belt."Sounds 'bout right."

She shook her head and turned, shuffling across the room to the unmade bed. Arthur cleared his throat as he placed his volcanic pistol in his holster, his cattle pistol in the other. He grabbed his duster off the edge of the bed and shrugged it on. 

"You should wear your gun today."

She snorted."Yeah, I hear it's quite fashionable these days."

"Lorna." He breathed."It's only for your protection."

She huffed and stood up, not quite satisfied with the lumpy mess of feathers they called their bed. She took a seat on the edge of the bed and stared at Lily, who was taking her afternoon nap. She could see Arthur out of her peripheral vison, standing there, waiting.

"What?"

He shrugged."Thought you'd say goodbye to me, ain't exactly sure I'll be comin' back y'know?"

"You'll come back, you always do, remember?" She reminded.

Feeling wounded by her words, he mumbled a quick goodbye then left the room. He was just as angry and hurt as she was, probably more. It was his friend, his father figure who was turning against him. And all he asked for was a little compassion and understanding, but he guessed that was asking too much.

Lorna watched as the door shut, her face hot with anger. She hated this place and hated Dutch! She hated the fact that her husband was so loyal, that he couldn't say no to a man that would kill him if given the chance.

She could accept just about anything; the gang, Arthur's position in the gang, the constant failures, the moving. But she could not accept her husband being constantly walked on, by the people who claim to love him.