by S MacLeod
*
Sonya smiled as she saw Rowan nearing the clearing. He alighted onto the ground like he was part of the air. He smiled down at her. She had the picnic all ready set out upon a tartan cloth & he sat down next to her.
"Are you hungry?" she asked.
"Nay."
"Oh, okay. Well, we don't have to eat yet." Sonya set the sandwich back in the basket. When she looked up at him she asked, "What?"
"What, what?"
"You were looking at me funny," she said.
"Was I?" There was amusement in his voice.
"Yes, you…" And that was all she got said. Not too many things silenced Sonya, but Rowan had leaned forward, put his arm around the back of her head, & pulled her into a gentle, long kiss.
"What was that for?" she asked.
"Does there have to be a reason?"
"No, I guess not," she said just before he kissed her again, laying her back. They just kissed. If there is such a thing as just a kiss, because Rowan did it very well. After breaking away she & Rowan lay facing each other on the plaid.
"Rowan, would you want to be king?" she asked.
"Nay, I would'na. I won't anyway. Angus will marry again & have a lot of bairn," he smiled.
"He will make a great father."
"What about me?"
"Well, they will never be bored!" They both laughed.
Looking more serious, Rowan took her hand, & asked, "Will it be our bairn, Sonya?"
"Oh, Rowan. I…I don't know."
"Och, doona fash yerself, love. It is okay. Ye doona have to answer now."
She smiled. "You are too nice to me Rowan."
"Ah, is that the problem?" he grinned mischievously. "I can try to be a bit less nice." She laughed, but he silenced her again when he said, "Ye will be queen of our castle."
Looking at him she wondered what you say to a man that is that sweet? How often did a girl hear she would be the queen of their castle? Not to mention a princess. Her. A princess.
"You do not love me, Rowan." His face did not alter. "So, why do you want to marry me?"
"Isn't that the same question that started all this? The why? Ye are a lovely woman, Sonya. Has none told ye that before? That ye are nice to look upon? You have a fine mind. Ye are finely built & strong, the best kind of woman to make any man proud to have as his wife & to bear him many bairn."
Sonya looked down at such praise. Never had any man praised her in such a way, ever. Her own husband had never even said she was pretty. He would say 'You look nice', but… And here was a man that did all that & was willing to learn to love her & take the time to let her love him. He really would make a woman proud, but was she that woman? How was she supposed to know?
"You, Rowan, would make any woman proud to be their husband." He smiled & this time, she leaned in to him & they kissed. They spent the afternoon together in the clearing.
Anne smiled & Angus raised his brows as Rowan & Sonya entered the hall hand in hand. They sat down next to each other talking non-stop.
"Angus," Anne whispered.
"Aye mother, aye, I see. I see." Anne grinned & happily started eating her meal.
Angus on the other hand was worried. It wasn't Rowan he was concerned about, it was Duncan. From what Adair had said, Duncan was working himself every day to exhaustion. He had helped a family start a garden & build fences for animals. He even helped them build a bard. When he wasn't doing that he would work out in the lists with his guardsmen. Even Rhys, the head of the guard was concerned. But what probably bothered Angus the most, was a note from Ewan saying how sad his da had become since Sonya had left. How sad he was. And even if Angus wished his brother settled & happy, he felt Duncan may not be able to cope with a second heart break.
*
Rowan took Sonya into town with him. They rode together on his horse with her in the front. She knew she didn't feel the electricity running through her as he rested one hand on her hip & yet it was a comfortable feeling. She was not unhappy. Perhaps then, one should just be thankful for what one has!
They first stopped at a blacksmith's where Rowan spoke to the tall young man who was sweating from the heat of the forge. He had very big arm muscles! Imagine doing that all day. They talked animatedly over a piece of parchment Rowan had pulled out of his sporran. She watched him explained how he wanted something made. The man nodded & looked at her smiling. She smiled back & raised a brow at Rowan, who just grinned. Sonya walked around looking at the swords the young man had forged & various helmets & shields. He had wonderful skill. An artist with metal.
After the smith they walked to another residence where a portly man proudly handed Rowan a suede pouch of deep purple. He seemed very pleased. When they left Sonya saw the man talking to a portly woman that she took to be his wife, & pointed to them out of the window. Sonya smiled & waved & Rowan chuckled.
"I loved walking around the village seeing people everywhere & watching the barefoot children playing." When she smiled Rowan caught her eye & she laughed, knowing just what he thought!
They rode back at a leisurely pace & she leaned back against Rowan's chest. Her face was against his cheek, his arms around her. She glanced up at him. It was then that she realized she had never dated a man before. After all, that was what courting was. Hmm. Rowan kissed the side of her head & she smiled.
*
"I have been told by your instructor that you are ready for this," Angus announced handing Sonya a sword with a black leather handle. A silver, horseshoe shape of metal that was about an inch thick went over your hand. At the bottom of the handle was another horseshoe shape of rounded silver that went downward toward the blade. A round ball of silver metal topped the handle. Rowan, Angus & Anne were all there smiling at Sonya.
"I don't know what to say. It is beautiful!" It was a beautiful sword & she loved having one of her own. She was greatly honored that Angus presented it to her with a smiling Rowan looking on proudly, making her blush. After Angus & Anne took a seat to the side it finally dawned on her, "This is what you asked the blacksmith to make."
"Aye. Do ye like it, lass?"
"I love it Rowan. It is beautiful. You designed this?"
"Aye."
She smiled & kissed him. He smiled & then pulled her to him & kissed her with much more fervor than he had before. He chuckled when he released her. "See what ye have to look forward to, lassie?"
She opened her eyes wide & said, "Aye. Trouble." They all started laughing, then it was to practice they went!
Sonya was terrified of really hurting someone with the new sword, but Rowan didn't give her much of a chance to worry. It was no wonder she slept so well, he wore her out! After her training finished it was off to change & prepare for dinner. She seemed busier now than she ever had in her old life & she found that she really liked it. Life seemed fuller now.
One of Angus' aides came in & whispered into the king's ear. Rowan watched intently. Angus motioned his head towards the door & Rowan stood to follow. He whispered that he would return soon & kissed Sonya on the cheek. She smiled & started talking to Anne, who seemed in an especially happy mood. When they returned Angus was his jovial self, but a shiver shot down Sonya's spine & she started looking around the room. She knew that feeling & it unsettled her. As she was looking from table to table Rowan took her hand.
"I will have to leave ye in a few days to settle a dispute in the lowlands," Rowan said. He sounded concerned & she smiled over at him. She knew why he'd said it that way.
She placed her hand on his face. "You aren't leaving me, Rowan. You are going to settle a dispute & then you will be back."
He kissed her hand. "Next time I will take ye with me."
"I would like that. To see what you do." Rowan smiled & squeezed her hand, resting them on the table.
As they were talking they had not noticed the entrance of a visitor. Angus cleared his voice & Sonya looked over at the door where Duncan stood. Their eyes met & she looked away. She knew it. She had felt it, but he hadn't even be
en in the room!
Angus stood, "Duncan, my friend! Come, sit with us."
"Yer table looks quite full, Your Majesty. Perhaps I should sit with my men."
"Nonsense, Duncan. There is a space next to my Lady Mother."
Duncan bowed to his king & settled himself next to Anne. Everyone expressed their greetings to him except one. Sonya continued to talk to Rowan about his upcoming travels, despite the huge knot in her stomach. Duncan affected her even after all of the time that had passed, even when she couldn't see him there.
"Please excuse us brother," Rowan said, "Sonya & I are going for our walk." Sonya felt her cheeks heat & she tried not to look in Duncan or Anne's direction. She was sure the only reason she felt like this was because of Duncan. She was doing just fine before he came, damn it!
"Of course," Angus nodded.
"Ye two have a nice walk," Anne added. Sonya smiled politely & nodded.
Rowan & Sonya strolled leisurely through the gardens. The bushes that were arranged like a maze now seemed like second nature to her. She knew every turn & every dead end. Rowan stopped & picked her three white daisies. The same flowers he gave her when he asked that she consider letting him court her. It was no longer a consideration. He had been courting her & she had been willing for some time now.
"Thank you, Rowan."
"Are ye alright, lass?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" she said a bit too quickly. He chuckled & she hit him, making him chuckle again.
"I wonder what ye will do when I really make ye mad."
Her eyes narrowed. "You will not want to find out," she said, a grin alighting her lips. Rowan took her hand & they continued their amble. Sonya wondered if that feeling she felt when Duncan was around would fade in time. There had never been anyone she had that feeling with. Being Rowan's wife, she wouldn't want to have to feel that every time she saw Duncan. She knew it may not be too often, but Duncan was a visitor & friend to Angus. Sonya laughed. She had just said being Rowan's wife!
"What?" Rowan asked, pulling her closer.
"Nothing," she smiled. "I am just glad I'm here."
Sonya took a deep breath of the fresh air & let it out. Rowan took both of her hands. He pulled her towards him, putting their hands behind her back, until she was flush against him & held her there. "I am glad too," he said. They kissed & Sonya wondered if that kiss would one day turn into passion. She hoped so. But would it? Rowan walked her to her bedchamber, kissing her again & bidding her good nigh.
*
Sonya happily headed towards the hall for breakfast. Well, she was happy until she felt that feeling & met Duncan at the doorway. She took a deep breath. She certainly wasn't going to run the other way, despite feeling like it. Flips of butterflies plagued her stomach. She would have to deal with this & she would not run away! She had to deal with that darn electricity between them & deal with harder situations one day she was sure. She inclined her head. "Laird Duncan."
Duncan raised his hand to the man who was about to open the door & they grabbed the door handle at the same time. She gasped as the power surged up her arm. Damn! Duncan grinned & suddenly she was annoyed by his beautiful face & lovely smile. "What, no Rowan tugging at yer skirts?"
Sonya gave him quite a nasty glare & Duncan lifted that brow at her. Oh damn the man! "Prince Rowan has no need to tug at my skirts, Sir, as I go willingly." Ha! So there! But instead of opening the door where his hand was still on the handle he leaned in very close to her making her lean back.
"Is that so, lass?" he said in a tone she wasn't sure how to describe. Not mean, not threatening, & yet she did not wish to say anything further. On top of that he obviously didn't believe what she had said about going willingly anyway. She swallowed & Duncan grinned. He knew what he did to her. Then he opened the door & she went in, thankful that not only Rowan was there but Angus' ever present grin. She took a deep breath & went up the dias. Rowan smiled as he pulled out the chair for her & she smiled back. The men greeted Duncan as he took a seat.
Rowan & Sonya talked about their plans for the day, but eating wasn't something she seemed able to accomplish. Instead, she rearranged her porridge. There would only be a couple more days before Rowan left for the Lowlands & she didn't want it to be ruined, but as the conversation turned to the dispute Rowan was to settle, Sonya excused herself to her bedchamber. Rowan caught her hand before she turned, a question evident on his face. Sonya leaned down & whispered in his ear, making him chuckle. He laughed & kissed her hand & she walked away, smiling. It wasn't hard to make him laugh. A promise to kick his arse during their next training session was all she needed. Angus was the only one that heard Duncan's growl on the other side of the table. It took all his might not to laugh & he coughed into his mug instead.
Standing at the window, looking out towards the gardens, Sonya saw nothing. She wished Kerry was there to talk to her. Since she wasn't, Sonya sat down with the treasured quill she had adopted from Angus' desk & began writing to Kerry. She had been writing to her each week. A light knock came at the door & Sonya smiled. As she strode across the room, she was surprised to see Anne without any of her ladies.
"Were we to meet for sewing today?" Sonya asked frowning.
"Nay, deary, nay." Anne sat down in the chair closest to the fire.
"Are you okay, Milady?"
Anne seemed to be studying Sonya & then smiled. "I am just fine, lass. Doona worry about me."
"Well," Sonya assured her, "You do not need to worry about me either."
"I am nay worried about ye, Sonya. Ye are too much like me. Ye will do what is right in the end."
"Do what is right?" She knew what Anne had hoped & what she feared as they were also her feelings.
"We are having a celebration tonight."
Sonya rolled her eyes & Anne laughed. "It is perhaps something ye will have to get used to."
Sonya sighed. "Yes, I know, especially around Angus. As well as running a huge household & many other things."
"Aye."
"It is in celebrating Samhain?"
"Aye, it is, but Angus has decided that we shall all dress with masks. I told ye that he loves these things."
Sonya smiled. "He wouldn't be Angus otherwise." She caught herself with the familiarity & her eyes opened wide. "I mean His Highness."
Anne laughed.
"What shall I wear?"
"Ye can wear whatever ye like. I have brought ye a mask to wear. Perhaps that will help ye." Anne stood, handing her a light blue, almost periwinkle mask with feathers & bead work around the outer edge.
"Thank you! This is lovely!"
"It should bring out yer eyes."
"And what colour is yours?"
"Yellow!"
Sonya smiled. Anne loved bright colours. When Anne reached the door, she turned & smiled serenely. "Sonya, ye still have both of your kilts?"
"Yes, of course."
"Remember what I said to ye that first night." She turned & closed the door behind her, leaving Sonya standing there staring after her. It hadn't been a question, it was a simple statement. Another knock at the door made her jump.
"Yes? Come in."
Rowan opened the door & smiled at her, bringing a smile to her face. That was the knock she had been expecting.
"Are ye ready for practice?"
"Not yet. I was writing & then your Lady Mother stopped by about this evening."
"Ah, yes, the Samhain. I should have told ye about that before. It slipped my mind. Shall I wait?" He motioned toward her dress.
"Yes." Sonya grabbed her trews & a shirt & stepped behind the changing screen. She suddenly wished she knew if the screen was see-through or not! "Another gathering for the king then," she said.
"Oh, aye, lass, aye."
"And masked as well, I understand."
"Aye. It should be interesting. What colour will yer mask be lass?"
"It is light blue. It is a feathered one."
"Ah. Sounds good."
Sonya rounded the scr
een & Rowan smiled. She sat down next to him on the bed, but before she could reach for her boots he lay her back looking down at her. She smiled up at him. "Shouldn't we be going?" she asked. He chuckled, then leaned down to give her a quick kiss. Taking her hands he pulled her up. She put on the tall, black boots that Anne had made for her practice sessions. Holding out his hand they headed towards the armory. So far Rowan had refused to let her practice at the lists with all the other trainees. She suspected it was because they were all male!
Going over to the rack, she gently lifted her sword from where it rested. She flexed it in her hand. Sword wielding certainly built the arm muscles really well! She readied her stance. Rowan had been teaching her that the key to fighting multiple opponents was to rely on footwork, shield & armor for defense, while counter-cutting. Counter-cutting involved unit movements so they were both offensive & defensive.
"The best defense is a good offense."
"Aye, lass!" he beamed. "Tis a great way to put it!" Sonya smiled. Being from the future had it's advantages!
Each knight's offensive cuts would also serve as a defensive against the opponent's blows. Rowan explained there wasn't enough time to block & then strike a blow. He was starting to teach her to spot the training of others by their stance & movement. She figured learning that would take her a while! She also had to get used to people watching the practice sessions early on. She quickly learned to be aware of their presence, but not to focus on it. Angus loved watching the practice sessions.
Sonya shook herself from the tension she felt in her back. It was unusual for her. She had learned to ignore things like sound outside an area where a sword could reach her. Even the swaying of the kilt Rowan sometimes wore or the movement of his cape no longer caught her off guard. Today they weren't using shields & she was glad as she felt they were more trouble than help. She moved the sword in her hand, getting it comfortable in her grip. The clanging rang out & Sonya loved that sound! Rowan had never been gentle on her. She had her share of cuts & bruises & very sore parts over the months. She would get up again, listened to what Rowan & sometimes Angus told her & begin again.