Home Again

Chapter Four

   Cat smiled as she ran her hand over the skirts. It had been so long since she had been in a frock and not a kimono she had almost forgotten how to put it on. If it wasn't for her mother's handmaidens stepping, Cat would have been utterly lost.
   She looked to the looking glass right as Botan's voice filled her head. How would you say it? What the fuck do they have me wearing?
   Cat chuckled and shook her head. Let me see.
   Her eyes glazed over as the image filled her mind. The tunic was too small and barely came over his stomach. The trousers were ripping at the seams in several places. The boots they had brought for him wouldn't have fit even if they had forced them. It was simply the fact, Botan was too big. Cat giggled as her eyes cleared. Tell them just to take your measurement and have someone fit you.
   Or just put my old clothes on. He replied with a growl.
   Cat shook her head. I'll be there in a moment.
   When Cat stepped into the room they were changing Botan in, he looked up and seemed to just stair at her.
   "Sorehanandesuka," she asked blinking.
   "Anata wa sutekidesune," he replied looking her over.
   Cat blushed as she smiled and looked down then back up at him. "Ah'm just me."
   "No," he said as he walked up to her and took her hand. "You look like a queen."
   "Well," she laid her hand over his heart. "Not yet."
   He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Always," he whispered against her skin.
   She closed her eyes and just about melted against him. "Let's get you dressed before we end up being late for dinner."

   Once Botan was finally dressed, there was still time before her father was set to return. Botan agreed to have Cat show him around. Well, how much she could remember. Every once and a while she had to ask where something was. She took him to the gardens and showed him the different flowers and trees she had grown up with and taught him the names. Clodagh watched from her balcony. Sipping her blood wine thoughtfully. The more smiles she saw on her daughter's face, the more Clodagh found herself smiling.
   "Where is she?!" Ailill demanded, as he burst into the chamber. "Where is our daug-" he froze as he saw Clodagh then slowly walked up beside her and looked down. "That's him?"
   "That's him," Clodagh replied with a nod and took a sip.
   Cat's laughter traveled up to them and tears filled both of their eyes. Clodagh beamed brighter than she had in years.
   "Is she actually smiling?" Ailill asked and looked down at his wife.
   "He seems to make her do that often," Clodagh answered and wiped at her eyes. "I've already threatened him with his life."
   "And?"
   "And he told me he would take it first."
   Ailill looked back down at the two. Botan took a rose from one of the bushes and placed it in Cat's hair before leaning down and kissing her. Cat leaned up and to him in return. Clodagh sighed. "I haven't been able to stop watching them."
   "Why? Why after all this time would she return?"
   "They wish to marry," Clodagh replied, her smile fading as she took a sip.
   Ailill looked down at her. "Marriage?"
   "She has chosen." Clodagh said with a nod towards Botan.
   "A werewolf!" Ailill said with a hiss. "No. No that's." He walked away in a huff and began pacing the bedchamber. Clodagh stood her ground and inhaled through her nose then turned to him.
   "I'm beginning to think there is more to him than we see," she said.
   "No. No I won't allow this. Anyone else but not him."
   "You say that like we have a choice in this. She's home, Ailill, and as far as I'm concerned he-"
   "Is a dog! A mongrel! An abomination that shouldn't be here! Ever! And the fact that our daughter-"
   "Has found someone that makes her smile, my love? Someone that has made her make sounds and faces that I, as her mother, have never heard or seen?" Ailill seemed to deflate as he looked at his wife. "Is that so wrong? He is not like us, no. He is not of our kind. But look down there again. Just for a moment." She shook her head and looked back. "His kind is killed by silver. Yet that man down there held my own dagger to his heart for our daughter. She's living, healthy despite living off animal blood for near two years. With a happiness I have always wanted for her." She turned back to her husband. "Is that so wrong?"
   Ailill sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I haven't even been able to hold her yet. And you expect me to give my blessing to the one thing on this plain that is the most deadly to her?"
   "No," Clodagh said shaking her head. "I want you to give your blessing to the one thing on this plain that gives our daughter something worth living for."
   Ailill looked back at her and dropped his hand. "I give my blessing. What of the people? Will they except a dog as their Rí?"
   "Who are we to make that call? If Caitlin trusts him, should we not give him the same respect?"
   Ailill looked out as Cat's laughter rang up once again. "I don't know what to do. My duty as a father says meet the man. My duty as a Rí says protect the people."
   Clodagh smiled and walked to her husband and stroked her fingers over his cheek. "What does your heart say?"
   He sighed again and took her hand and kissed it.