I was waiting for more reviews but this chapter was almost done so I decided what the heck and went ahead and finished it.
I am not a guy and I don't live in Australia so please don't mistake me for John Flangan
Chapter 2
"Hello Monica," Halt said.
"You came back," Monica said and hobbled over to Halt. Halt nodded.
"I came back but I can't stay," Halt said.
"You come back for your son have you?" Monica asked. Halt bit his lip.
"Actually I was coming back to look for Ferris's son…I only just now figured out he was my son," Halt said. A thought occurred to him. "Speaking of Ferris why aren't you living in the castle?" Halt asked.
"I was looking after Cathal. He didn't have much of a mother and Ferris wasn't father material…he isn't even uncle material. When Cathal left I was getting old anyway. Ferris didn't want to look after me and I am not as young as I used to be," Monica said. Halt's eyes narrowed.
"You looked after us when we were little the least that twit could do was look after you now that you are older," Halt growled.
"That is not always easy to expect," Monica said sadly.
"Mother you should rest," Cathal said. Monica smiled at him.
"But Cathal you have visitors and I should greet them," Monica said.
"Halt is a pretty grim person to be around. Not really the type to be greeted," Crowley said wryly. Halt glared at him. "Oh come on Halt. Don't tell me your feelings are hurt," Crowley said teasingly. "OUCH!" he winched. Monica had wacked him on his shoulder with her cane.
"Manners youngster," she chided. Halt hid a grin.
"Cathal who are they?" the red head asked.
"Oh Merida that is Crowley and that is Halt Crowley Halt, this is Merida my girlfriend," Cathal introduced.
"Lovely to meet you my lady," Crowley said. Merida rolled her eyes obviously not at all impressed by his attempt to be charming.
"Can we stay for the day?" Halt asked. Merida nodded.
"There isn't a lot of room in here but you are welcome to stay if you are Cathal's father," Merida said.
"Oh he is Cathal's father. I know he is," Monica said. Merida smiled at her.
"You have been saying that for years," Merida said.
"That is because it is true. I know when Cathal's mother was pregnant. Ferris had been gone for over two months there was no way it could have been him," Monica said.
"I know mother," Cathal reminded her. Monica shrugged and hobbled away. Cathal watched her go. "Merida can we talk somewhere quiet?" Cathal asked. Merida nodded.
"Make yourselves at home," she said. Halt nodded and sat down at a chair. Crowley joined him.
"What do you think they want to talk about?" Crowley asked.
"About me, what their plans are now…lots of things. This is some pretty big news to drop on someone," Halt said with a slight shrug.
"Cathal what does he want?" Merida asked when she joined Cathal in a quiet place.
"He wants me to come with him and live in Araluen," Cathal said.
"He is your father Cathal you should go. I will come with you," Merida said. Cathal sighed.
"Ok Merida but first we will have to see King Sean before we leave," Cathal said.
"That is all well and good," Merida said nodding. The two headed back to where Halt and Crowley were waiting for them in the main living room area.
Monica had joined the two Rangers and was drinking tea. Halt and Crowley were nursing cups of coffee. Halt looked up when the pair walked in and gave a nod to them. Cathal and Merida returned the nod then sat down with them.
"Ever had coffee before Cathal?" Halt asked. Cathal shook his head. Halt poured him a cup of coffee then added a generous amount of honey. He pushed the cup over to Cathal. Cathal took a nervous sip. He had never had coffee before and wasn't sure what it would taste like. The moment he took a sip though he realized he might have an addiction.
"This is good," Cathal said.
"Rangers love their coffee," Crowley said grinning.
"What are Rangers?" Merida asked curiously.
"Rangers are the peace keepers of Arualen," Halt explained. "We do lots of things from spying on enemies to getting the knights to the right place," he added. Cathal pursed a lip clearly interested.
"It is a pretty solitary life," Crowley added.
"So you basically live by yourselves all the time?" Cathal asked.
"Basically. We can have families but it is hard to find someone who isn't afraid of us," Halt said.
"Sounds like my kind of life," Cathal said. Merida smiled.
"Well there are more pressing matters. I promised Sean if I found you I would make sure you saw him before I leave," Halt said.
"I have never been to a castle before," Merida said clearly bothered.
"I wouldn't worry about it sweetheart. If Cathal has his eyes on you that makes you a princess and I doubt any one will say anything to a princess," Monica said smiling at Merida. Cathal turned a very bright shade of red. Crowley laughed and Merida smiled good naturedly.
When morning came around the group headed for Dun Kitty. Monica rode with Merida on Cathal's horse, Piper, and Cathal jogged beside them. They reached Dun Kitty in the afternoon. The guards moved to the side when they saw Halt approach. Sean must have alerted his guards to Halt and told them to let him pass. Halt watched as his son looked around the castle yard curiously. Halt was willing to bet Cathal was trying to see how much had changed since he had left. Merida just stayed quiet.
Once everyone had cared for their horses the group of them headed for the castle. They moved at a slow pace so Monica could keep up. Halt led the way to Sean's office and when he found it he knocked on the door.
"Come in," Sean said. Halt pushed the door open and the five of them walked in. Crowley hadn't seen Sean before but could easily catch the family similarities.
"I am back Sean," Halt said when Sean didn't turn around. Sean had a mountain of paperwork he was going through.
"Oh Uncle Halt you are back," Sean said. Halt nodded at his sister's son.
"I am back, this is Crowley," Halt said pointing out his best friend. Crowley grinned.
"Nice to meet you," Crowley said.
"Monica it is good to see you again," Sean said when he spotted the older woman hobbling into view.
"Oh Sean I hear you are king now your mother would be so proud," Monica said. Sean smiled.
"I really wish you didn't have to leave the castle. I wanted to look after you but Ferris…" Sean started but Monica stopped him.
"I know how your uncle behaved towards me but I don't blame you," Monica said.
"Hello King Sean," Merida said her tone formal. Sean smiled at her then looked at Halt.
"I am still not used to people calling me King," he said with a chuckle.
"Yea well it is your life now so get used to it," Halt said.
"Not if you have found Ferris's son or daughter," Sean said.
"About that…" Crowley said.
"Hello cousin," Cathal said making him known for the first time.
"Cathal?"Sean asked in startled surprise.
"Yep that's me," Cathal replied.
"You are Ferris's son?" Sean asked. Cathal shook his head although Halt could tell he tensed at the name Ferris. Something bad must have happened between the two of them. Halt decided to talk about it with him later.
"No, I am not Ferris's son I am Halt's. My mother told Ferris I was his son so that he wouldn't kill me. As I grew up Ferris just sort of left me. I am really Halt's heir," Cathal replied in a grim tone.
"Cathal I am so sorry to hear that," Sean said. Cathal shook his head.
"Don't be. We used to have so much fun together as kids. Besides Merida you were the only real friend I had. You treated me well and I thank you for that," Cathal replied.
"Well do you want to be king? The throne is rightfully yours since you are Uncle Halt's heir," Sean said.
"No I don't think so. There weren't a lot of rumors to begin with but you can tell everyone that Halt's son has found his own place. I can't stay here Sean. I don't belong in this castle," Cathal said.
"Well then where are you going to go?" Sean asked.
"Back to Araluen with my father," Cathal said.
"Well then I wish you the best of luck. There is a ship waiting for you guys if you want to use it," Sean said.
"Thanks cousin," Cathal said. The group filed out and headed for the ship.
"Cathal I can't go," Monica said when they reached the castle doors. Everyone involuntarily stopped to watch.
"Why not?" Cathal asked puzzled.
"I am to old Cathal. I have lived here my whole life and going to a new country this late in the game is not my cup of tea," Monica said gently.
"But for the longest time you were the only family I had," Cathal said. Monica smiled gently at him. Cathal hated having to go to new places with strangers. It was a trait that had served him well over the years keeping him out of trouble.
"I understand Cathal but I think it is time you live with your father. I have raised you the best I could but now you need a man in your life Cathal," Monica said her tone gentle. Halt, Crowley, and Merida turned away to give him some time alone. Halt, in a way, could feel Cathal's pain. It had hurt to leave Cat with Ferris but Cathal's pain was different because he was leaving behind the person he called mother.
"I will not forget you," Cathal said his voice breaking. Monica hugged him.
"I know you wouldn't," she said giving him a kiss. Cathal hesitated for a moment and when he found his resolve he left.
"I am sorry Cathal…you don't have to come," Halt said softly. Cathal shook his head.
"I don't know how long Sean can keep those rumors at bay while I am in Clonmel. I have to leave," Cathal said. Halt gave him a squeeze.
"I promise you Cathal that I will become that family you need. I want to be your father for the rest of your life…if you will let me," Halt said. Cathal smiled at him.
"I would like that very much Halt," Cathal said. Halt gave him another squeeze and led him to the ship where the others were waiting. The horses were already loaded and no one said a word when the father/son duo got on the ship. Halt instantly went to the railing. Merida and Crowley went below deck. Cathal, much to Halt's surprise, joined him by the railing. While Halt got seasick Cathal was impassive. Great, Halt thought, even my own son avoids this wretched curse.
Poor Halt is going to suffer seasickness. I debated making Cathal seasick but decided I didn't want him to be seasick. Next chapter will feature Horace, Alyss, Cassandra, Will, Jenny, Gil, Duncan, and Pauline. How do you think Cathal will react to his stepmom? Let me know and please review.