Five Years Later

Brandon leaped into the pool with a splash, and Evander shrieked, swimming as fast as he could across the water as Brandon chased after him.

“Mother, the monster, the monster,” he cried out, as Brandon caught him and tossed him up in the air so that he fell back int the water with a shriek, laughing so much that he swallowed a great mouthful of water, emerging spluttering as Brandon pulled him back to the bank.

“Ye need to learn to swim fast, Evander. Otherwise, the monster will always catch ye,” Marion said, smiling, as Evander pulled himself out of the water and rolled onto his back.

The sun was shining down through the trees above, the water in the pool sparkling, crystal clear, and deep blue, where the waterfall gushed down from the rocks. Marion and Brandon had come to spend the day in the canyon with Evander and his brother, Gregory—named in honor of Brandon’s old mentor who had passed away four seasons prior—who, at only four years old, was too young yet to swim.

“When will Gregory swim with me, Mother?” Evander asked, looking at his brother, who was sitting in the sun, pulling at tufts of grass and chattering to himself.

“When he is a little older, then we shall teach him to swim. But until then, ‘tis only ye the monster will chase,” Marion replied.

“I can swim faster than the monster,” Evander said, and he turned to Brandon, who was just hauling himself up onto the bank.

“Is that so? Well, we shall just see about that,” Brandon replied.

But Evander now leaped forward, pushing Brandon back off the rock and into the pool, letting out a triumphant cry as he swam strongly across the pool to the waterfall, leaving Brandon flailing in his wake.

“Well now, maybe the monster is defeated,” Marion said, laughing at the sight of Brandon, who now pulled himself back out of the water.

“‘Tis a brave lad who pushes his laird into the water. Few could get away with it,” he said, smiling as Marion handed him his shirt.

It was the middle of summer, and the canyon was blooming with flowers of every shade and color, filled with life. They had left the castle early that morning, riding through the forest on horseback, Evander riding his own stead, which Brandon had bought him for his thirteenth birthday. It was called Flash and was grazing happily next to Marion and Brandon’s horses at the edge of the clearing.

“Ye let Evander get away with anythin’—will ye be so forgivin’ to Gregory,” she asked, and Brandon smiled, reaching down and picking up the little boy, who smiled and patted him on the cheek.

“I dote on them both. This little lad will grow up to be just like, Evander, I am sure, and I shall be forever chasin’ after them both,” he said, hanging Gregory to Marion, who called out for Evander to swim back to the bank.

“Must we go, Mother? I want to swim, and I want the monster to come and swim, too,” he said, as Brandon reached out his hand into the water and splashed Evander, who shrieked and dived back in.

“We can come again later this week, or Allie will bring ye when she comes to gather herbs and plants. But we must go now, Evander. The feast for the harvest festival is tonight, and there is still much to dae,” she said, beckoning him out of the water.

The harvest festival was now an eagerly anticipated feast, the traditional celebration of the summer and the bounty of the fields. A great feast was held in the great hall, and all the clan came together in unity, and to swear their loyalty to the laird. There was dancing and merrymaking long into the night, and the festival had become one of Marion’s favorite times of the year. There had been much to organize, and now they returned through the woodlands, in eager anticipation of all that was to come.

XXX

“They have hung the banners as I wished,” Brandon said, looking up approvingly at the castle walls, where the colors of the clan hung fluttering in the breeze.

They had reached the castle gates now, and the soldiers had hurried to greet them, saluting the laird, who now climbed down from his horse to make inspection.

“Have the first guests arrived yet?” Marion called out, and the soldier nodded.

“Aye, mistress, they started to arrive an hour or so ago. Ye will see their horses tethered in the courtyard,” he replied.

Marion, too, slipped down from her horse, making her way through the gates, with Gregory in her arms. Evander was old enough to lead the horse himself now, and he hurried off the to the stables, as Marion followed Brandon into the keep.

“I shall put Gregory in his bed for an hour or so, Brandon. Otherwise, he will be too tired for the feast,” she said, and Brandon nodded.

“Aye, the guests shall want to see him, I am sure,” he said, and Marion made her way upstairs to their chambers, meeting Allie as she went.

“Did they enjoy swimmin’ in the pool?” she asked, putting her hand on Gregory’s head, and smiling.

“Aye, they did. Though Gregory is still too small for the water, he played at the side while Brandon and Evander swam,” she replied, and Allie nodded.

“And are ye all right, Marion? Ye look tired, lass,” she said, and Marion sighed.

“I have been feelin’ tired lately, aye. But ‘tis nothin’—only the feast, I have had much to organize. But now it has arrived, I can enjoy it. See ye later,” she said, opening the door into her and Brandon’s chambers and laying Gregory down to sleep on the bed.

He smiled up at her, chattering away as he was wont to do. He had Brandon’s eyes, and she smiled down at him, tickling him on his stomach.

“Mama, I go to the feast,” he said, and she nodded.

“Aye, ye shall go to the feast, and sit next to yer brother. Go to sleep now for a while. I shall sit her by the window,” she said, taking up her embroidery and sitting in a chair which gave a view down into the courtyard.

Allie was right. She was tired, and despite the excitement of the day, she found herself nodding off. She awoke to the sound of Brandon entering the room, startled, as he stood before her, smiling.

“Did I wake ye?” he asked, and she leaped to her feet in surprise.

“Oh, ‘tis the hour already? There is still so much to dae,” she exclaimed, but he raised his hands and shook his head.

“All is done, Marion. Ye need only splash yer face with water and put on yer shawl. Come now, the clan has assembled. The feast is about to begin,” he said, smiling at her as he shook Gregory gently awake.

A few moments later, Marion was ready, and carrying Gregory in her arms, she followed Brandon down to the great hall. She could hear voices long before they reached the doors—this was the most eagerly anticipated moment in the year, and it seemed that more so than ever, the clan had made an effort to gather as one.

“There are hundreds here,” she exclaimed, gazing around the great hall,” and Brandon turned to her with a smile.

“Aye, the whole glen must be the preserve of the animals tonight, for every MacInnes is gathered here,” he said, as the pipers began to play.

Marion took his arm, still with Gregory on her other, and they walked down the central aisle in procession to the high table, where Evander and Allie were already sitting.

“Hail our noble laird, master of the MacInnes,” Oren said, standing to welcome Brandon, who nodded and turned to greet the clan.

“My friends, welcome. ‘Tis an honor to have ye here, an honor for us to gather as one on this most glorious feast when we celebrate the good news of the harvest, and all that we have accomplished in this year gone by,” he said, and a cheer rang out from the assembled clan.

What they had accomplished that year had been considerable—new farms had been established on the far side of the loch, and a village was under construction a mile or so along the shore from the castle which would allow for boats to easily be put out on that side of the loch to fish. The castle’s defenses had been strengthened and alliances forged with several clans to the north, and a pact agreed to defend the border against English marauders. Marion was proud of Brandon for all he had achieved, and thankful for the part she had played in encouraging the women of the clan to make goods to sell at the market and establish a school in the village for the children.

“Ye have done much that is good, Brandon,” Allie said, as Brandon took his seat.

“Aye, but there is still much more to dae, I know that,” Brandon replied, as wine was poured, and the feast began.

There was all manner of good things to eat, and the clansmen tucked in hungrily, helping themselves from platters of meat, pastries, and sweetmeats, dishes of vegetables, soups, and breads. Brandon had ordered barrels from the cellars to be tapped, and wine flowed in abundance. It was a true celebration, and Marion looked around her with a smile on her face, pleased to see the unity of the clan there before her.

“‘Tis a grand gatherin’ and so good to see everyone comin’ together like this,” Marion said, after she had finished her meal and pushed her plate to one side.

“And the dancin’ to come. I hope ye have nae forgotten how,” Brandon said, and Marion laughed.

“‘Tis nae that long since I danced, Brandon. Be careful ye daenae step on my feet,” she said, winking at him.

When the guests had eaten and drank their fill, the long trestle table was pushed back and the fire in the hearth was kindled with a great log from the forest—a symbol of their strength for the coming winter. The minstrels filed in, ready to play a merry tune, and the guests joined together for the dance. Evander made a show of asking Allie to dance with him, and Marion laughed to see him escorting her down the steps from the dais.

“And what of ye, Gregory, will ye dance with mother and father?” she asked, picking Gregory up and following Brandon into the throng.

The minstrels struck up their tune, and there was much laughter and joy as everyone joined in the dance. Brandon and Marion joined hands with Gregory and danced in a circle, the great hall coming alive as the music echoed all around. Marion could not have felt happier than to be surrounded by her family and the clan she loved. To be its mistress was her privilege and honor, a duty she took very seriously, one she knew she had been destined for.

“Ye have nae forgotten how to dance, lass,” Brandon said, and she raised her eyebrows at him.

“And ye have only stepped on my feet twice, Brandon, ye… oh,” she gasped, clutching at her side.

A terrible pain had just shot through her, and she stumbled, fortunate that Brandon was there to catch her.

“Marion, what is wrong?” he exclaimed, as the music came to a stop and all eyes turned toward them.

“I daenae know…” she said, as another sharp pain coursed through her.

Allie now came hurrying up, and she and Brandon lifted Marion to her feet, Evander and Gregory looking fearfully on.

“Come now, we must get her upstairs to bed, make way there,” Allie said, and the way through the great hall was cleared, the clansmen looking anxiously on.

“Mother?” Evander asked, his voice sounding fearful.

“I will be all right, Evander. Take care of Gregory now, will ye?” Marion replied, but she felt far from all right, barely making it up the stairs without collapsing again.

Brandon brought her to their chambers and laid her on the bed, and Allie hurried to stoke up the fire before going to her workshop and returning with all manner of ointments and remedies.

“What is wrong with her, Mother?” Brandon asked, and Allie shook her head.

“I must examine her first, then we shall know better. But first, a little of this on the lips. It will take away some of the pain,” she said, and she applied some of the ointment to Marion’s lips.

It was sweet, and its effects were almost instant, the pain subsiding, as Marion breathed a sigh of relief.

“I could barely stand, I was in such pain,” she said, looking up at Brandon, whose face was anxious.

“Ye have done too much these days past in preparin’ for the feast and ridin’ out today. I should nae have suggested it. I am…” he began, but she shushed him.

“Nae, Brandon, ‘tis nae yer fault. I am just tired, I am sure of it,” she said, as Allie began to examine her.

“Have ye been feelin’ unwell these past few days, Marion? Ye would tell us if ye were?” she asked, but Marion shook her head.

“‘Tis the first time I have felt like this, truly, so,” she said, and Allie nodded, running her hands gently over Marion’s stomach, before looking up with a smile.

“When did ye last bleed?” she asked, and Marion thought for a moment.

“Oh, but I have nae—ye daenae think that…” she began, and Allie smiled.

“‘Tis a simple explanation,” she said, and Marion glanced at Brandon, who looked puzzled.

“She is ill, Mother,” he said, but Allie shook her head.

“Nay, Brandon, foolish lad. She is with child,” she said, and Marion gave an exclamation of surprise.

“Oh, ‘tis I who am foolish then,” she cried.

She should have known the signs, but in the busyness of their preparations, she had barely had time to think. It all made sense now—the tiredness, the change in mood, the pain in her side, that was surely only a cramp, brought on by the exertion of the dance, and now she smiled, filled with joy at the news which Allie had given her.

“Then this is a happy day, indeed,” Brandon exclaimed, and he embraced Marion, kissing her, before turning to his mother with a smile and doing the same.

“A brother—or a sister—for the other two. They shall be so excited,” Allie exclaimed.

“Have the castle bell tolled, it must be proclaimed. Oh, this is the greatest of days,” Brandon said, his face now filled with joy at the prospect of being a father once again.

Allie hurried off to spread the good news, for the rest of the clan were surely waiting anxiously for news of the mistress. Brandon sat down on the side of the bed, and leaned forward to put his arms around Marion, kissing her again.

“Now, Brandon, ye must nae treat me as an invalid,” she said, but he only laughed.

“I would nae be allowed to, but ye are so precious to me, Marion, how I love ye,” he said, their lips meeting in a further kiss.

“And how fortunate we are to have been blessed like this—not once, but twice,” she said.

The thought of another child brought joy to her heart, as she knew it did to Brandon, too. Truly, they were blessed, and as the castle bell began to toll, Marion could not imagine feeling happier than she did at that moment, happy that in the end, it was an abundance of love which was theirs after so much sorrow had passed.

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