Seaforth Castle
Eventide
Joshua stood on the grounds of Seaforth Castle. As he played with his son he breathed in the heavy, humid air, thick with the smell of rain. He thought back all those years back when he first met Evanthe in the wake of the Illumic Blockade. Expecting a haughty princess, he instead met the woman who's every smile still knocked him sideways. Back then it was his father he waited for, entertaining Evanthe with his good friend Scott Carroll. They were both here again, the recent unpleasantness of the Illumic passed. Joshua felt sorry for his wife and a touch of sympathy for Count Emerson. He wouldn't have wished that conversation upon anyone, though he was glad his family was whole again. Now here at the castle, his family waited on him. Laughing as Joshia tried t push passed him on the grass, Joshua held him back and stripped the rugby ball from his grasp. In a passably tight spiral he tossed the ball back down the field. Josiah raised his little fists in the air and shouted his little war cry before rushing back after the ball.
"McAllistar!!!"
As Joshua grinned as the boy ran down the ball, he felt an arm wrap around his waist and felt a head rest on his shoulder. Looking down at his wife, he kissed Evanthe, feeling his heart quicken.
"Everyone is ready for you." Said Evanthe.
Joshua nodded as Joshiah ran back to him. Scooping the boy into his arms, Josiah threw an arm around his neck as Eva took him by the hand and led him back into the castle. Inside was gathered what could be called his inner circle. Aside from Evanthe and Josiah, present were Harper and Andrew. McKenna, Scott and Saratov were there too, even Raynald Lachlan. His closest friends, Eric Fallstaff and Scott Carroll stood beside The Emperess Beatrice. With Josiah in his arms, he made the rounds, thanking his friends and family for coming.
"Brothers, sisters, friends and clansmen. Thank you for being here. We have been apart for far too long. We have missed far too much. In this time we have all faced our own trials and tribulations. Praise Helus that I am returned to the arms of my wife and son. That I am returned to my friends and family."
Cheers and applause breaks out. Evanthe, smiling from ear to ear she walks over to Joshua. After kissing him she takes Josiah and sits next to her cousin Beatrice.
"I have had a lot of time to think, stuck in that bunker. Time to reflect. To evaluate. Not only on Seaforth but on myself as well. Seaforth is battered, no doubt. I also feel that we are on the verge of greatness. They call this the Restoration in the news, and so it is. Not just the restoration of a nation, but a people. We have suffered much over the last years. The extinction of House Cameron, the Civil War, the Eugenics War, The Fall....they all took their toll. Even my own mismanagement of the peace and the disastrous clan system played a part. So what do we restore? We are more than just roads and buildings. We shall restore the people. Restore pride. Restore honour and humility. Restore charity. Restore prudence and temperance and fortitude. Restore justice. Restore faith. Restore hope. Let our people believe in themselves and believe in a future where Seaforth is strong and kind. A Seaforth that stands by its word and its allies and extends the hand of friendship to those struggling in this world."
Joshua slowly turns about the room, the smiles and nods and tears of those gathered almost make him break down himself.
"It is the people in this room that will make that happen. We shall set the example of service that our people can rally behind. To that end I say it is time to restore the monarchy that has led us so well for so very long. We need a King. A King to unite us in a way no one else can. A King our people can rally behind and to act as an example those virtues I named. We need a King.....and it cannot be me."
The silence stretched out as the people in the room processed what he had said. Evanthe sat there, hands over her mouth, eyes wet as Joshua went to her and knelt before her.
"I have seen what a life without you would be and that is no life at all. I will serve Seaforth as best I can, but nothing less than Rolaf himself will part me from you and Josiah ever again. I need no titles, no crown, no castles or wealth. All I need in this life and the next are you and Josiah and a purpose."
Evanthe slipped out of her chair and threw her arms around Joshua. They held each other tightly for quite some time, until Josiah wiggled in between them shouting "Me too!" After another moment, the three broke apart. Standing, Joshua helped Evanthe back into her chair, plopping Josiah onto her lap. Wiping the tears from his eyes, the crowd could sense what was coming as Joshua walked over to his cousin Andrew.
"Damn you."
"I have been. No more cousin. It has to be you. I won the wars and failed the peace. You fought, the people respect you. I need you to do what I couldn't."
Andrew nodded after a moment.
"You are not released from service, Joshua."
Joshua smile took a step back and fell to one knee.
"Long live he King!"
The crowd laughed and cheered and echoed the proclamation
Long Live The King!
Long Live The King!
Long Live The King!