Epilogue

EPILOGUE

“ Y e hiv both prepared him well.”

She put her arm around the crying woman’s shoulder and drew her close, offering the support only a woman who’d lost a child of her own could offer. She looked at Alex— warrior, rightful heir to the clan, now desolate father. She took his hand and grasped it tightly.

“Did we, Mairi? Will he survive there? Then?”

The sobs were subsiding; Mairi could feel Maggie regaining the control and the inner power she’d been known for.

“We’ve all done our part and now he will do his. The Clan MacKendimen will be better for his presence.”

“Will be? Don’t you mean was?” Maggie stepped away but skirted around the stone structure as Mairi had always seen her do. Once bitten, twice shy.

“Will be, was—’tis all the same, Maggie. Time moves around and around us, ye must understand that by now.”

“No,” Maggie sighed, “I guess I really don’t understand.” Maggie looked to Alex whose face was etched with grief. “But will he? Did he live a long life?”

“Come, both of ye, give me yer hands.” Mairi took hold of them and moved to stand directly in front of the archway. “Now, look into the portal of the sacred stones.”

Mairi closed her eyes and opened herself to the wisdom for the last time. She felt it coming, the power coursing one last time through her ancient body. She opened her heart and soul even more and begged that the wisdom be shared. Maggie gasped beside her and Mairi thanked the Fates for allowing this kindness to grieving parents.

A young couple entangled in passion ... a babe and another and yet again... a husband comforting his wife in loss... two healers working side by side for their people... an old couple surrounded by love and many children... a long, prosperous, fulfilling life.

“’Tis as ’twas meant to be. For ye and for yer son. Can ye be at peace now?” Mairi slowly released their hands and waited for her answer.

“I can’t just let go, Mairi. It will take some time to accept this,” Maggie said. Alex, still unable to speak, just nodded his head in agreement.

Mairi turned and led them away from the arch and toward her cottage. The tea was on to boil and she’d made fresh oatcakes that morning. Now was the time to explain her true role in the Clan MacKendimen and to let Douglas’s parents know what would come for him in the past. And there was a letter to share with them, a letter written long, long ago.

“Time? Why, Maggie, ye should know ’tis always a matter of time.”