by Mac Flynn
I blinked at him. "What have they to do with the attempt on my life?"
"Perhaps nothing, perhaps everything, but I would not underestimate my foes so much that I would refuse to believe they would not join forces," he commented.
"Then what are we to do?" I asked him.
"I shall see what spies I can gather and proceed quickly with my coronation to ensure my rightful place as my father's successor," he informed me. His eyes flickered up to mine and his demeanor changed. A smile danced across his lips and he set one of his hands over mine. "And there is the matter of our wedding."
I blushed, but set my hand atop his. "Whenever you wish it, Tristan," I told him.
A devilish look slipped into his sly eyes. "Would tomorrow be too soon?"
My eyes widened. "Tomorrow? Why then?"
"Laird MacLaren and his wonderful wife will remain until my coronation and that is scheduled for the coming days," he explained. "I thought the best thank-you you could gift to our friends would be to allow them to attend our wedding. Then there is the matter of expense."
I smiled at his last remark. "I am sure there will be a coin or two left in the treasury," I quipped.
"Or perhaps three," he added. He slipped his hand from mine and leaned back in his chair. "However, all these plans depend on your agreeing to them, and to me. Will you still have me, my goddess, knowing what you know of me?"
I chuckled and gestured down at my pale, sickly self. "If you will have me," I returned.
He clasped my hands in his and gazed into my eyes. His voice was soft and sincere. "More than all the world."
"Then the day cannot come soon enough for your crowning," I replied.
Tristan chuckled. "It will come as soon as you will it. The preparations are finished and we need only the bride."
"Then on the morrow," I suggested.
He furrowed his brow and studied my body. "I thought perhaps we might wait a week for your health."
"But I would dearly love to have Lady MacLaren in attendance," I pleaded.
Tristan smiled and bowed his head. "As you wish, my goddess, and as you wish it so shall it be done." He stood and my hands slipped from his. "I will attend to the final matters and we shall be married and crowned on the morrow eve. Then we shall see to protecting our small kingdom."
"With the gift of the goddess?" I guessed.
He gave a nod. "Aye, and with some help from my soldiers. Your powers are wonderful, but they have their limit in distance and cannot be in two places at once."
"What else might I do?" I asked him.
Tristan stepped around the bed to the foot and shook his head. His eyes were teasing as he moved to the door. "Those are wonderful secrets you will learn in time, but rest. On the morrow you will be a bride, and I a very lucky man."
Tristan slipped from the room, but I was not long with my thoughts. Ciardha shuffled inside and took her customary chair by my bedside. She scrutinized me with her wizened old eyes and smiled a toothy smile.
"You are pleased with him," she commented.
I smiled and nodded. "Aye, and we are to be married tomorrow," I informed her.
She chuckled, and I was surprised to find the sound held a pleasant ring in its mirth. "And I suppose you will only allow a few to be present, hmm? Not those like old Ciardha?"
I reached over and grasped her hand in mine. "We would be honored to have you present, and all who live in the village and countryside. The coronation will happen at the same time, and I would have none miss the chance to see a great laird ascend the title of his ancestors."
"If it pleased you then I will come," she promised.
I smiled and gave a nod. "It would please me very much, and you shall be a guest of honor."
Ciardha shook her head. "No. I will not ruin the affair with such honor. Many fear me and would not be pleased to see the son take up with witches as the father had. I will come, but only to watch."
"Then we will be satisfied," I agreed.
Ciardha pulled her hand from mine and looked me over. "Now away with these gibbering words. You're to rest or there'll be no wedding for you."
My eyes widened as I recalled important details to a wedding. "But what of my dress? And the food and-" Ciardha held up her hand.
"What of your health?" she reminded me. She stood and pushed me onto the pillows at my back. "You will stay here and your chamber maids will do the work. The tailor has your measurements and the cook seems to be a smart woman. She will handle the food. Now rest or I will order it all called off on account of your health," she warned me.
I smiled and bowed my head. "I will obey."
"And rest," she insisted.
Ciardha shuffled away from the bed and towards the door. I studied her back with a furrowed brow.
"Ciardha?" I called to her.
She paused at the door and turned to me with her hand on the handle. "Aye?" she replied.
"Have you. . .do you know of the wolf goddess? Or one who worships her?" I asked her.
She raised an eyebrow. "And what perchance makes you think that?"
"There is something about you which reminds me of our laird. That is all," I replied.
She chuckled and opened the door. "I have dabbled in the worship of the wolf, but not for a very long time. Now rest, little one."
Ciardha slipped from the room, and I was left with the feeling that her explanation lacked a great deal of information.
CHAPTER 40
I rested until the morrow when the mid-morning sun shone brightly through the windows. The castle was decked with streamers and white curtains, and the smell of all good foods wafted through the halls. Everyone laughed and talked as they worked, and I received a visitor in the form of my old friend Maher.
Maher slipped into my chambers with a smile on his face and a large bag in his hands. He walked up and bowed low to me.
"My dear lady, must I say it was an honor to complete this dress for one so beautiful," he teased.
I smiled and raised his head. "You must be very proud of it," I commented.
He winked. "You are very observant today, but yes, I have a little bit of sinful pride in this dress."
Maher set the bag down and opened the mouth to reveal a large bundle of white cloth. He took hold of the collar and pulled the dress from the bag. My hand flew to my mouth as I gasped. The wedding dress dazzled with the finest silk and wool produced by man and animal. The cloth shimmered in the bright light and caught the glistening beads brought from far-away islands and the handsome lace that graced the collar and cuffs. The dress billowed out and proudly displayed a train that would take both Davina and Eva to carry.
"Do you approve, Lady Muira?" Maher asked me.
Tears sprang into my eyes and I threw my arms around him in a tight hug. "I could never have dreamed of anything so beautiful!" I cried out.
He chuckled and patted my back before he pulled me to arm's length. "Your good self deserves as much, but let us not count our gold pieces before the task is done. We shall see how the dress fits you." He turned to the door. "You both, will you come in?" Davina and Eva slipped inside, and Maher looked back to me with a devilish smile. "I couldn't resist showing the dress to you alone to see your approval."
"And are you disappointed?" I teased.
"Only if it does not fit," he replied.
Davina and Eva assisted me into the dress, and I was dismayed to find that the small changes to my body made the dress tight in several spots. Maher stepped back and frowned as his eyes brushed over me.
"I must have been half asleep when I read the measurements. . ." he mumbled. He shook his head and pulled a thread and needle from his bag. "But no matter. A simple letting out will fix many of these problems, and then you shall be the most beautiful bride in the world."
While the fixes were performed Davina glanced out the window and frowned. "Such a pretty day, but I see clouds on the horizon."
Eva glared at her companion. "Do not put a curse on the wedding
by foretelling bad weather," she scolded her friend.
"I cannot change the weather, nor make those clouds vanish," Davina argued.
"But you can both stand behind your mistress and hold her train, for I've finished the alterations," Maher spoke up. He stepped back and studied me. "Please hold out your arms, Lady Muira."
I did as was asked while my two companions took their positions behind me. Maher nodded.
"That will work perfectly. Now will you practice walking across the floor?" he requested.
I walked the length of the chamber with Davina and Eva behind me. The dress was so light I felt as though the material floated above my skin, and yet the cloth was warm enough that no autumn chill could penetrate the fine stitches. Maher grinned and clapped his hands.
"Beautiful! Wonderful! You will be the most beautiful bride to ever be married within these castle walls!" he cheered.
"That would be praise indeed," a voice from behind the closed door called out.
Maher spun around to the door and glared at the wood. "My laird, it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."
"That is why I will remain on this side of the door," Tristan replied. "But I did wish to inform you all that the guests are arriving and in an hour we need the bride to make her appearance."
"I shall ensure it, my laird," Maher promised.
"Good. Until then, my love," Tristan called.
"Until then, my husband," I teased.
His footsteps retreated, and Maher turned to me. He wagged his finger at me as he stepped over to his large bag. "It is bad luck to refer to your betrothed as 'husband' before the wedding," he scolded me.
I bowed my head, but my good mood meant my smile remained. "My apologies. I will try to be more careful."
Another knock came from the door.
"You're not wanted, my laird," Maher called to the visitor.
The door opened a half foot and my mother peeked her head inside. "Nor a lady?" she teased.
A reddish hue graced Maher's cheeks and he hurried to open the door for my mother. "A thousand apologies, Bean Keith. I thought you were our impish laird."
She stepped inside and shook her head. "No, though I did see him down the hall."
"And that is a good place for him to be," Maher commented as he shut the door behind her. "Now I am sure you are here to see your lovely daughter."
My mother turned to me and her eyes glistened with tears. "Aye, but I never expected to find such a lovely young woman in her place." She strode over and set her hands on my upper arms. Her eyes swept over me and she sniffled. "How quickly you have grown, and how lovely you look!"
"I am nearly as beautiful as you, Mother," I told her.
She shook her head and brushed a few tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "No, Muira, more beautiful."
Maher stepped up to us and placed a hand on either of our shoulders. "Ladies, if I might interrupt this age-old argument, but the wedding shall commence in less than an hour, and though the dress is finished the bride must have her hair finished and her veil in place."
My mother bowed her head. "Then I will step outside and-" I grasped her hand and shook my head.
"No, please stay," I pleaded. I bit my lower lip and turned my eyes to the ground. "I. . .I must admit I am a little nervous."
My mother smiled and squeezed my hand. "Then I will remain here and follow you down," she promised.
The final touches were finished with not a moment to spare as a knock came from the door.
"My lady, it is time," Leod's voice called through the entrance.
I wrung my hands together, but Mother set her hand atop mine and smiled.
"All will be well," she whispered to me.
I smiled and gave a nod and took a deep breath. My mother led me to the door. Davina and Eva followed behind me my train and Maher was behind them. We met Leod in the hall and his grin spoke of his admiration.
"You are very beautiful, my lady," he complimented me.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Leod offered his arm. "May Leod assist you to the coronation room?"
"I would like nothing better," I replied as I took his arm.
Leod beamed with pride as he escorted me down the hall to the top of the stairs. A chorus of voices rang down the passage and bespoke of a multitude of people come to pay their respects and appease their curiosity. I glanced over the balcony and beheld a crowded entrance hall. People from the village and surrounding countryside stood together on either side of a long, wide red carpet that ran from the bottom of the steps and into the coronation hall.
The many voices stopped when all noticed my entrance. There were many wide eyes and whispers of admiration. Leod helped me down the stairs and into the crowds. Many smiled, and all bowed their heads. I could not help but notice the many soldiers who stood guard at the entrances to the castle and to every room.
Leod led me down the carpet and into the coronation hall. The space was as crowded as the entrance hall with people standing shoulder to shoulder and pressed against the wall. The many dozens of heads turned to me, and I hesitated on the threshold.
"Courage, my lady," Leod whispered.
His words gave me heart, and I held my head up and smiled as we proceeded down the carpet. Father Clarke stood at the end of the carpet with the Good Book in his hand and pursed lips on his face. His customary black frock stood out against the festive decorations. Behind him were the pair of thrones, and beside each stood Alan and Chamberlain. They both held a pillow, and atop the pillows were our banded crowns of gold and precious gems. My brother Aindreas stood in front of them and held the pillow upon which sat our simple rings of silver.
Tristan stood in front of Father Clarke and to the side, and was angled so he watched me enter. He wore a white blouse and dark pants. His eyes lit up as he watched me enter, and his smile told me of his approval for my dress.
Laird MacNaughton, Seumas and his sons stood at the front and to the left while Laird MacLaren sat in a chair on the opposite side with Lady MacLaren ever behind him. The happy couple smiled and bowed to me, and Duncan and Angus gave me winks. Laird MacNaughton's lips were as tightly pursed as those of Father Clarke, but beside him Seumas stood with that strange smile of his on his mouth.
Leod and I reached Father Clarke and Leod handed me to Tristan who took both my hands in his. He smiled down at me.
"You look lovely," he whispered.
Father Clarke cleared his throat, and the whispering behind us ceased. It was time for me to be married.
CHAPTER 41
"We are gathered here this morning to join these two in holy matrimony and to proclaim allegiance to them as our laird and lady of the land," Father Clarke announced. "It is not long since our old laird has passed, but everything old must be replaced by the new."
I noticed a tension in my hands as Tristan unconsciously squeezed them. I could not blame him. Father Clarke was not to be deterred in his scolding of our hurried marriage and the coronation.
"May we offer condolences to them in their time of mourning, and wish them a peaceful and God-blessed start in their union together," he continued. "May they be blessed with less tragedy than the former laird, and be ever mindful of God's greatness over them."
Tristan pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow. "The rings," he whispered to Clarke.
Father Clarke frowned, but turned to my brother. "Bring forth the rings." Aindreas stepped forward so he stood beside the father and winked at me. I tried not to laugh, so great was my nervousness. "Before we place the rings upon these two souls, has anyone to argue against uniting them in holy matrimony?"
My heart quickened as I dreaded a shout or even a simple 'aye,' but nothing came. The room was quiet save for a cough.
"Was that an objection I heard?" Father Clarke called out.
"It was only a cough," Tristan assured him.
Father Clarke pouted for a moment before he gestured to my brother. "Then accept these rin
gs as a token of your love for one another." We took the other's ring, Tristan first, and placed the ring on each other's finger, and resumed our hand holding. I faced Tristan and blushed under his smiling gaze. "With the power vested in me by God and the Church, I pronounce you man and wife."
The crowd erupted in cheers, and many a strong arm threw wheat upon us. I ducked and laughed as we were bombarded. Even my own brother took wheat from his pockets and tossed it over our heads.
Father Clarke glared at the excited crowd. He held up his hand and his voice rang over the people. "A moment! Another moment, if you would!" he shouted. The din calmed and the father cleared his throat. "There is still the matter of succession." He stepped aside and motioned for Alan and Chamberlain to step forward, which they did. "These crowns represent the authority vested in you both to rule over these lands in a fair manner." His eyes flicked between us. "Do you swear to protect your charges and rule according to God's law?"
"I swear," Tristan agreed.
"I swear," I answered.
Father Clarke took my crown, and I knelt on the ground so he could place it over my head. He did the same to Tristan, and raised his hand to the ceiling. "Arise now Laird and Lady Campbell. May god bless your union and the lands over which you rule," Father Clarke finished.
There was another great cheer from behind us and the remainder of the wheat seed was thrown over us. Tristan snuck a chaste kiss from me and pressed his lips close to my ear.
"Do you feel different, Lady Campbell?" he whispered to me.
"No. Do you, Laird Campbell?" I teased.
"Not until tonight," he returned.
I blushed, but didn't have time for embarrassment as those present crowded around us to give us their well-wishes. My mother rushed up to me and clasped my hands in hers.
"The crown suits you," she complimented me.
"And somehow fits," I quipped.
Everyone in the party jumped when a loud crack of thunder broke the revelry. A quick glance out the windows told everyone the storm Davina warned about drew near. The guests glanced at each other, and more than one mentioned the unluckiness of such a beginning.