by Advocate
Kayla and Liv were helpless to do anything other than smile back as his words wrapped around their hearts.
"Can you lasses find your way back to the manor?"
"I-I think so," Kayla answered, wanting to ask him to stay but somehow feeling it wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
"Good." He smoothed his woolen kilt with one hand and his eyes strayed back to the direction he’d been walking. "Because right now those echoes are calling me home."
"You’re leaving?" Liv looked around in confusion, searching for something to say.
Without another word, Badger and his horse took a few steps forward and disappeared into the hazy autumn air.
The women’s horses trotted over to them and the sounds of the forest came gently floating back, leaving them to wonder if they’d ever really gone in the first place.
Kayla reached over and with a single finger clicked Liv’s mouth shut. She smiled weakly at the other woman, hoping she wouldn’t be too upset. "Surprise?"
Liv’s eyebrows crawled up her forehead and stayed there. For a moment she was truly speechless. She felt Kayla wrap her in a bear hug and eagerly returned the embrace.
"Are you okay?" Kayla whispered into fair hair.
Liv sighed and burrowed closer to Kayla, the warmth chasing away her chill. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, listening with her entire being as she opened her heart and mind.
Kayla’s ability flared and she could literally feel what Liv was doing. Her eyes slid closed too and she extended her senses beyond the here and now to what could be.
In the far off distance they both heard the faint echo of laughter. Badger’s robust, lively chuckle was impossible to miss, but along with it was mixed two women’s voices; one slightly lighter and gentle, and the other deep and true. They’d never heard them before but somehow they were as familiar as their own reflections. A peace stole over them, filling them completely.
Liv looked up into Kayla’s eyes and the voices faded away, leaving them alone together in the woods. "Yeah. I think I am okay," she said, meaning every word.
The breeze picked up a lock of blonde hair and Kayla tucked it behind Liv’s ear, smiling the entire time. She knew that Edinburgh and the secrets it held would surely call them back again someday.
But for today it was time to go home.
THE END
GLOSSARY OF SCOTTISH
WORDS & PHRASES
ay yes
aye always
auld old
bairn child
bonnie, bonny beautiful
brae hill
close courtyard; entry or alley
faither father
fash yersel to worry yourself
gab talk
lad, laddie boy
lass, lassie girl
mither mother
nicht night
och! an all-purpose exclamation
sassenach English person; foreigner
sporran leather pouch
suin soon
wee little, small
weel well
wi’ with
yersels yourself
Tha gaol agam ort. I love you.
Haud yer wheesht. Shut your mouth.
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Go here to see traditional Gaelic wedding vows and their English translation:
http://www.tartans.com/traditions/wedding.html