Tomorrow they would leave for the journey to Castle O’Brien. They would happily witness Molly and Pierce exchanging their vows and unite in marriage. She’d soon see the Kilkenny family, her aunt Siobhan as well as Mara, her mother. She would hold tight to joyfulness and the hope for a peaceful future for all of them.
Chapter Twenty-One
They had finally arrived at Castle O’Brien. The day was lengthy, but by setting out early and pushing on at a steady pace it hadn’t seemed an arduous journey. The spring season saw many trees and plants flowering abundantly. The sweet scents of new and plentiful blossoms surrounded them, and lovely sights met them throughout the day. The gardens at Castle O’Brien were ablaze with color as they rode over the drawbridge and past the castle gates. Mac and Pierce MacArthur, Danhoul, Killian and Alainn traveled on horseback, but Cookson and Lily had ridden in a small wagon.
Lily had never been on a horse before having lived her entire life in the city of London, and was noticeably fearful of the large animals. Cookson, as a young lad, had been thrown from a horse and although he was accustomed to driving a horse and cart, he had never entirely overcome the fear of riding a horse. Alainn was quick to point out to Killian it was another similarity that the two young people shared. Killian had smiled at her with the familiar warmth she adored.
Alainn stared at Castle O’Brien, the imposing castle that had been her home throughout most of her life. Although there were undeniably troubling memories housed within the thick stone walls, she’d had many happy childhood memories there as well. She caught Killian looking at her as she gazed up at the castle.
“Do you miss it here, Alainn?”
“Of course I miss seeing Molly and Cook and Margaret...and Mara,” she said almost as an afterthought for she and her mother maintained an undeniably complicated relationship. “But I am happy with our life together at Castle O’Donnel and I do adore living near the sea. I would not wish to return to life here at Castle O’Brien even if your uncle did not reside in this location.”
They shared a knowing glance remembering all that the chieftain, Killian’s uncle, Hugh O’Brien had put them through in order to attempt to keep them apart, but neither spoke further on him.
“And you Killian, do you miss your life here?”
He shook his head as he lifted her from her horse. “I’ll admit there are times when I would welcome living the carefree life of a youngster spared the responsibilities expected of a chieftain, but as a chieftain or no, with adulthood comes responsibility, and a firmer grasp on reality.”
“Aye, and we’ve both had our share of stark reality, I suppose,” she dared to whisper. They exchanged yet another knowing gaze, for when last they had been here at Castle O’Brien she’d still carried their child and they’d hoped for a future of much happiness with their wee son.
He sensed her melancholy mood and wanted to cheer her.
“I know you’ll be eager to see Molly and Margaret, so if it would please you, then go ahead with Cookson and Lily and I’ll meet you at Cook’s cottage when I’ve had time to stable the horses and respectably greet my kin.”
Danhoul had already dismounted and was leading his horse toward the stable as well.
Mac and Pierce would be spending a night at an inn in the nearby village. They were all to meet at Cook’s cottage later this day and the wedding would take place on the morrow.
Alainn was torn whether to go spend time with Mara for she hadn’t seen her since soon after she’d lost their baby, and memories of that time always made her heart ache unbearably. Although she and Killian had confronted their grief together and continued to mourn the deep loss of their wee son, discussing it with others was still often difficult.
Cookson sat patiently waiting for her to make her decision and Killian looked at her with some concern as she stalled.
“No, Cookson you go on ahead with Lily and I’ll be there soon enough after I’ve spoken to my mother.”
Cookson smiled in his typically good-natured manner, and he and Lily set out with Pierce and Mac riding alongside them. They watched as the wagon headed toward the walled village.
“Are you well, Alainn?” Killian asked as she now stood perfectly still staring straight ahead at the doorway.
“I am simply attempting to prepare myself Killian for everywhere we go there will be women heavily laden with child. It isn’t that I’m not happy regarding all the wee babes that will soon be born, but I must attempt to allow no melancholy moments to spoil anyone’s joy.”
Only Danhoul and Killian were aware that Alainn had not only lost wee Cian, their baby boy who had lived for a short time, but she had also miscarried with a girl-child during their time in England.
Killian went to her and wrapped her in his strong arms that always made her feel loved and protected, as though he could take away her ills and heartache with the great love they shared.
“Sorry I am, Alainn, for the pain you hold within your heart with losing wee Cian, and our girl-child.”
“I am sorry for your loss as well, Killian.” She inhaled deeply and squeezed him tightly. “This is to be a time of celebration and merriment and I will not allow my grief and my maudlin temperament to dampen Molly and Pierce’s wedding or the joy of the babies soon to be born. So you be off to see your kin, Killian, and I will call on Mara and soon meet you at Cook’s cottage.”
He lovingly stared down into her pale blue eyes.
“Perhaps we might spend some time near the dolmen as well,” he said as his eyebrow arched suggestively, for that was the location they had first made love. She smiled back at him and nodded as he gave her a soft kiss before he set off.
Alainn watched Killian as he made his way up the castle’s steps. She remained standing there staring down at the cobblestones for some time, no longer desirous of meeting anyone who might offer her sympathy regarding the loss of their wee son.
Instead, she soon found herself heading to the beloved dolmen, Killian had just spoken of, the location she had often gone through the years to clear her thoughts or settle her troubled mind. Her thoughts went to the night in the tower in London when she and Killian had made love and she’d magically made it appear as though they were here. She sighed at remembering England in displeasure and joy in the same instance.
She sat upon the lowest ledge of the immense stone structure. She recalled the many times through the years she and Killian had come here to speak and spend time together, long before they had professed their love for one another and become involved romantically.
She watched as the sun began to set lower in the sky and the familiar green hills and entire land seemed bathed in beautiful pink and purple tones. She was awed at the loveliness of the scene and sat in silence reveling in the beauty of nature’s magnificence as the sun met the horizon and the sky began to dim. She knew she should make her way to Cook’s cottage before she was missed, but her heart was heavy and her mind was fretful with a good many woes.
She was startled to see the spectral figure of Shylie O’Rorke appear.
“Shylie, you gave me a severe start. I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought a spirit was limited to where they could move about. I always believed they were bound to the location where their life ended.”
“That would be most unfair, don’t you think? Losing my life before I reached adulthood was surely tragic enough, but having to remain forever bound to where I met that dismal fate would be most provoking and disenchanting!”
“Aye, to be sure. Well I have never pretended to have extensive knowledge regarding spirits. Because I am able to see and speak with spirits certainly doesn’t indicate I know their abilities or limitations.”
“I suppose not.”
“So you often come to see your sister Siobhan, then?”
“On occasion it is so.”
“Why are you not with Siobhan now?”
“Because it is a welcome relief that you can actually see me when so few others are able, and you require my c
ompany more than she does at the moment.”
“Aye, well I thank you for your intuitiveness, Shylie.”
“Why are you not visiting with your friend who is to be wed on the morrow? I sense she is well important to you and you were most eager to be reunited.”
“We have not seen each other in many moons and when last we were together I carried my child. It will be difficult now for she will be empathetic of my loss. She will surely weep, and then I will weep, also.”
“Would that not be comforting to weep together with your treasured friend?”
“If only Molly and I together it would be so, but the cottage will be bursting with friends and relatives come for the wedding and filled with merriment.”
“So you wish for them to be joyful and not see your sorrow?”
“Aye, I don’t want to be the cause of sadness on the eve of Molly’s wedding.”
“If it was reversed and Molly had lost a child and you were fairly beaming with excitement and anticipation of your upcoming wedding, would you wish for your friend to be out here entirely alone with darkness approaching, sitting on a pile of rocks?”
Alainn smiled at the spirit-girl and her sarcastic manner of speaking.
“I’m not alone; in truth, I’m with a most humorous young spirit who would do well to remember things are not always as they seem. This pile of rocks is an undeniably mystical location where I have often come through the years to find solace and tranquility. ’Tis where Killian and I first made love, so this pile of rocks is a most cherished location for me.”
The spirit narrowed her spectral eyes toward Alainn in distinct disapproval, and floated upward so that she was suspended in mid-air just above the dolmen.
“You made love on the rocks?” she said with notable objection and distaste.
“Well, in truth it was on the ground beside the rocks.”
Alainn brought to mind the first time they’d been intimate and she blushed and smiled to herself.
When she turned to speak further to the spirit, she realized she had simply disappeared, and when she glanced down the stone pathway she saw Killian approaching. Shylie had perhaps deemed she had no desire to witness them together should they seek an amorous romantic reunion here at the dolmen.
“Alainn, I thought I’d find you here. When Danhoul didn’t know where you’d gone and you hadn’t made it to Cook’s cottage, I had a fairly good notion where you might be. You now have Molly more than a wee bit fretful as to why you haven’t been to see her, and Mara and Aunt Siobhan were both hopin’ to spend time with you as well.”
Alainn sighed deeply as he took her in his arms.
“Would you come to the fairy glade with me, Killian, perhaps we might swim in the magical spring? It won’t take so very long with time altered there as it is for sure I wish to speak to you of topics too long kept within.” She only then seemed to be overcome with how greatly it weighed on her mind keeping secrets concealed from him.
“Sure I would gladly welcome a romantic time with you in the spring, and it’s to be hoped, we wouldn’t simply be speakin’,” he whispered. “But there is someone here with me who has been most impatiently waitin’ to see you.”
The girl with beautiful red curls stepped from the shadows, and her hazel eyes lit up at seeing Alainn. She ran toward her endeared friend and they embraced in affection.
“My dearest Alainn; I have missed you so!”
“I’ve missed you much as well, Molly.”
“I’ve been waiting all day to be able to finally see you, pacing the floor with apparent impatience after all the many months of being parted. You mustn’t tell Pierce, but sure I think I’ve missed talking to you as much as I’ve missed seeing him. ’Twas difficult to stay attuned to wedding preparations when I wanted my very best friend to be assisting me with every step,” she admitted.
Killian smiled as he watched the warm exchange between the two young women.
“I’ll leave you ladies to walk back to Cook’s cottage for I suspect you have much to discuss.” He passed them an enclosed candle to light their path.
Alainn smiled at Killian in appreciation of his caring ways and he kissed her hand before he set out ahead of them.
When they were left alone, Molly stared intently at Alainn as they walked together, the sun now only a soft pink streak in the western sky. By the light of the lantern Alainn saw that Molly’s eyes had filled with tears. Alainn sensed her deep empathy and knew she wanted to comfort her.
“No sadness, dear Molly, and I desire no tears!” Alainn stated before her friend had a chance to speak.
“But Alainn, I need you to know how sorely grieved I was, we all were, Ma and Da and all of us in your unimaginable loss. I won’t simply dwell on my happiness without addressing your pain. How selfish and heartless would that be? I’ve never been envious of you in any way regarding your lessons with the scholar. But these past months I would have given much to be able to convey in writing a letter with my messages of deep sadness in the loss of your wee babe.”
“I understand, Molly, and truly I felt your love and empathy even from across the many miles that separated us. Your friendship warms my heart more than you know. I surely appreciate your kindness, but I request we don’t linger on these melancholy thoughts this night...for it is to be the happiest of times for you.”
Alainn squeezed Molly’s hand and swiped at the tears in her eyes. They walked companionably together and the younger girl sniffled in attempt to still her own tears.
“How is your family, Molly, your brothers and sisters, your da, and how is your ma, surely she is near her time now?”
“My brothers and sisters are well. As always, they are noisy and filled with an abundance of liveliness. Da is well also, though it is obvious he and Ma both have clearly missed Cookson. And I admit I, too, have missed my eldest brother, though I would never have thought I would miss his constant brotherly taunting.”
“Aye, I am certain you have missed him. It has been a comfort to have Cookson at our castle with us. I have been much appreciative of his friendship especially when we first arrived and I knew so few people there. And tell me, what is your opinion of Lily?”
“I like her well. My parents much approve of Lily, and it is clear to see Cookson and Lily care much for each other. That pleases us all.”
“And your ma, does she fare better now, Molly? I know she was ailing this time with carrying the child, and before she was of sturdy health when she carried.”
“Aye,” a pained expression of concern filled Molly’s face. “Ma says maybe it’s her age that has left her ailing this time, or maybe all my many wee brothers and sisters who tire her. Though I have tried to assist her wherever I’m able, I fret much over her, Alainn. The midwife, the physician and your own mother, Mara, have been attempting to find a remedy for the constant pain in her back, and a balm to ease her persistent discomfort.”
“I will see what I might do as well,” Alainn suggested.
“I hoped you might assist her in some way, Alainn. Da has mentioned that very same subject many times in the past moons that he wished you were here to lend some health to Ma. I truly can’t imagine marrying Pierce and then going off straightaway to live so far from Ma especially now when she needs me here with her.”
“Have you spoken to Pierce about this, Molly?”
“Not yet, since I’ve only just been reunited with him this day, I wasn’t keen on broaching such serious topic. I know a woman’s place is with her husband. I was hoping perhaps once you saw Ma you might have a remedy that may cause improvement.”
“I will most certainly see what can be done,” Alainn assured her friend.
Once inside the bustling cottage Alainn was overtaken with affectionate greetings and numerous warm embraces, from Cook, the many smaller Kilkenny children and even Molly’s older brothers came to offer Alainn a hurried affectionate squeeze. Alainn had spent many happy times with the Kilkenny family throughout her life, and seeing them all
again, made Alainn realize how much she had truly missed them. Through all of the embraces and the warm reunion, Margaret Kilkenny, stood back and quietly observed.
When Alainn’s eyes met Margaret’s, Alainn felt her heart lurch upon noting Margaret’s drawn face; her obvious unrelenting pain and her generally unwell condition. Always a strong woman with a sturdy figure, Alainn noticed Margaret had become much thinner.
Alainn’s thoughts went to the very first memory she had of Margaret Kilkenny. Alainn had been just two years of age. She lived with the old farrier whom she believed was her father. His cottage was just across the narrow street from Cook and Margaret’s cottage. The farrier’s wife had died when Alainn was months old and the farrier possessed a deep affliction for drink.
Some days he took Alainn with him while he tended to his duties with the chieftain’s horses. She always rejoiced in those times when she could be in the beloved stables or in the sunshine with the horses. But, if the farrier suffered a fuzzy achy head and an impatient temperament caused by the effects of too much drink, more often than not he left her alone in the cottage with strict instructions to keep out of trouble and to stay put. Always a child with an undeniably strong will and uncommon inquisitiveness, Alainn found it unbearably difficult to be obedient. She clearly recalled the many days she listened to the noisy shouts and laughter of the five young boys who lived nearby. She would hear them and wish she could be outdoors playing instead of stuck within the small dark, and often cold cottage. But one day she had heard an unfamiliar sound from beyond the cottage door, the distinct cry of a new baby, and her curiosity had been far too great to remain inside.
She remembered pulling a stool to the cottage door and climbing up in attempt to open the latch. When her small size and tiny hands had been incapable, she’d employed her magic to open it. She vividly recalled peering out and seeing Margaret sitting outside her cottage watching her five wee sons at play in the morning sunshine. In her arms she held a new baby with lovely red curls. In her excitement Alainn had forgotten her promise to stay put and had run directly to Margaret’s side so that she might stare down at the pretty new girl-child with her beautiful hair and large eyes.
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