White Flags

She was no fool. To some, she was considered an enemy by the simple fact of her allegiance to her husband, whose father the Laird of the clan was allied to Clan Cruach. To others still, she was a traitor, as a born Connell and now assisting to uproot the High Laird. There was no question in her mind that the High Laird, Merthen of Clan Cadag, was not seeing eye to eye with all matters concerning the clans, especially perhaps for those who lived on the island. Still, this game was as dangerous as life with the clans could be, and Sinead didn’t wish to see anyone she cared for to be harmed.

With that knowledge wedged firmly in her mind, she rode a bit more certain of herself, less doubtful of her right to visit her cousin. Surely Ruadhan did not think a thing of all that nonsense. She had and always would be a Connell, and marriage had not seen her lose reason.

Eyes trailed her while she entered the camp and was led towards the Laird’s pavillion. In the area indicated, she dismounted and her guardsmen stayed at the perimeter, both to keep the other men from approaching their Lady and to be kept in check. Sinead, for her part, took her time to approach his quarters and gather her wits and her breath. She looked around, trying to find familiar faces among the small company.

Ruadhan’s face was stranger to her for a short moment, but quickly the features came to light in her mind. He looked older, no doubt due to his responsibilities and this tense situation. She could see recognition and surprise when he finally turned. She couldn’t help it, she held a full smile for the reunion no matter the circumstances, and approached with the swift feet of eagerness. A curtsey was given, which allowed her a moment further to take in his weathered attire and any other physical changes she might notice.

“Laird of Glenn Tuathas, my cousin. It’s been a good long while since I’ve seen you. The babes are asking when you might be visiting us again.” Her tone was full of a regional cadence from the island. There was no accusation, but the admittance that she had never wanted to lose touch with her birth family, and fully intended to raise her children - even those of her husband’s previous wife - to have a relationship with Clan Connell.

________________________________________
Ruadhan Connell

Sinead had placed her own bets that Ruadhan would not particularly care for formality, such was how she remembered him, but had no wish to test the opposite and offend he or his company. Further, to any listeners, she acknowledged his position and was here in part due to his good graces.

In fact, she almost laughed as he commented about curtsying and bowing, and almost pointed out that he had gone to the home of the Deveraux Royals, while she had not...

She could easily understand his reluctance, though she would have happily accepted a promise to come visit. Her children had asked upon Uncle Ruadhan - though by technicality he was not uncle to them. Her husband encouraged her to keep ties with her birth clan, and she couldn't disagree.

"Hello, Rudhan," she repeated, more gently this time. She brought out her hands before hers that she might take his if he responded. She wanted a warm touch of reassurance, and to give it in return. Whatever the situation around them was, she would always try to support him and the Connell Clan, and to try to keep the impact to them as favourable as possible. Granted, she was a woman, a wife to a man who was not even yet Laird, and she did not decide the fate of things.

"You look well, considering. Have you a woman to distract you for good, at least?"

After a moment, she added. "I thought it was far passed the point where a civil conversation aught be had, if you can spare me the time?" She didn't wholly come to discuss business, but she could easily act as a liaison while she was here.

Giving another small glance around, now that she had found him, she noticed that his brother Liam did not come running, nor did she see his warrior-sister Siobhan. Sinead also wondered on Regan, and how she fared around all this promised violence. She wondered, silently hoping he was being safe and that leaving some behind, whether to return to Glenn Tuathas on their own or at the capital, was wise.

"Well, will you be offering me a drink?" She asked, or demanded, with a grin on her face.

____________________________________
Ruadhan Connell

She expected one of two reactions from him. Some sort of bumbling, blushing admittance of a romantic connection - or at least a plan of interest, or the sarcastic unamused but friendly rebuttal about how women were the bane of his existence. She had no doubt he cared for the females in his life but also that he was in no hurry to fix himself a life partner.

"Excuse you, Sir," she started, crossly, "what handful have I proven to be to you?" She smirked a bit at him, hoping to make him sweat but only if he proved to understand that Sinead was only speaking in good fun.

When he asked if she could drink, she felt taken aback. It was not an insult, not as she saw it, but more a feeling of being seen, that he knew of her pregnant state and had known to ask the question. She was showing, she supposed, though not nearly as much as she would by the time the ninth month rolled by. For now, she was still able to see her toes and her balance was still hers. It did not dawn on her that he was inquiring as to whether her tolerance had waned since she had left Glenn Tuathas.

She agreed politely with a bow of her head and followed in silence behind the Laird of this encampment. Sinead did not yet answer his question about drink, to tell him the truth later. Once they were in the privacy of his tent - her honour of course in no question in this situation - she stood and had a gentle smile towards him in wait to be seated. "How is the family, Ruadhan? How are you?"

_________________________________
Ruadhan Connell