Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Celebrations raged for days after Angus' death. The people took to the street, pulling down barricades, running the merchants from the village streets. They played music and danced, children laughed and played. One of the first things that James did was send provisions out into the village to be given to all of the clan people. He called for the healers from the ports to come, all of them, crowding the village with medicines, clean water, and prayer.

The servants of the castle were released, given the option to work for the castle as staff, not slaves. Seeds and goods were restored to the farmers, livestock to the people of the village, and the requirements of the people to give to the castle were removed. James put his nose down, working around the clock to bring prosperity back as quickly as he could. He knew it would take a long time to heal the damage that had been done, but he didn't want another member of his clan to die for preventable reasons.

Blair couldn't sit by and watch, and happily assisted the guards and the staff get the members of the clan anything they needed. She played with the children, made lists of the repairs the village and the lands needed, and found a moment of happiness for the first time in a very long while. Still, in the evening hours, with James still working hard, she found herself alone in her chambers, staring out the window at the beautiful golden sunsets. Her mind would linger on her coming marriage, but only for a moment before turning to her sisters.

She thought about their lives, the days since she was sent away, and prayed that they were still alive. Even though she feared the worse, the lingering breeze from the ocean brought her a feeling of peace, as if she knew somehow they were still alive. It was very close to the feeling she had after gazing into Agatha's eyes so many years before.

About a month after Angus' death, the celebrations had calmed, repairs continued, and fields began to be seeded for the coming warm growing season. That night, as Blair watched out of her window, she whispered messages to her sisters, hoping that across the dirt roads, wavering fields, and thick forests, they could hear her, and know she was thinking of them. Behind her, there was a knock on the door.

Blair took a deep breath and walked over, opening the door to find Clara standing on the other side. She was in clean, pressed clothing, her hair twisted into a low bun, and her cheeks were rosy. She smiled at Blair, immediately pulling her in for a hug.

Blair hugged her back and stepped into the room, surprised. "Clara! I thought you had left."

Clara took Blair's hands and they walked over, sitting down on the end of the bed. "Aye, I did, but not forever. James sent me on an errand. He sent me to yer old clan, to make sure yer sisters were alright."

Blair sat up straight. "Did you see them? Are they alright?"

Clara nodded. "Aye. I saw all three out in the fields by the keep. They sat quietly, and were hard to spot at first, but they were there. They all looked…fine. Kind of like staff, actually."

Blair nodded. "That's basically what they are considered. Oh, Clara, thank you so much. And my uncle?"

"I didn't see him, or yer cousin, but I heard rumor that they were fine," Clara said, pouting. "Though I did hear yer cousin has been takin' an extra role at the keep, learning the ways of his father. I suppose to prepare fer when he becomes Laird."

Blair nodded, looking down at their hands. Her fingers shifted and her head tilted to the side, lifting Clara's hand up. "Is this a weddin' ring?"

Clara's cheeks went bright red and she nodded excitedly. "Aye. That guard I spoke of…we got married when I returned. A very small ceremony, just us and the priest. We didn't want to waste any resources, since we're rebuildin'."

Blair pulled Clara in for a hug. "So you're a wifey now! Oh, I'm so happy fer ye."

Clara hugged her back. "I came fer another reason."

She jumped up and ran over to the door, opening it up. She disappeared for a moment and came back in with several wrapped packages. Setting them down on the bed, she unwrapped the largest and held up a beautiful skirt, covered in foreign silks with the McFerguson crest stitched onto the sash. "James didn't want ye to worry about plannin' a weddin' because he knew ye wouldn't want some big bash without yer sisters. So, he had me alter his mother's simple skirt and blouse, create some flowers fer yer hair, and sent me to fetch ye."

Blair looked at her confused. "Fetch me? Now?"

Clara grinned. "Yer groom is waitin' fer ye in the fields so we better get ye dressed."

Blair couldn't believe it. James had thought of everything. He knew she wouldn't want a big party or all the traditions, not when she couldn't share them with her sisters. At the same time, she and he didn't want to go another day without marrying each other. It was the perfect gesture, and so very private, just like their life had always been together.

Clara went to work, helping Blair into the simple skirt that fell to her ankles, the bottom trimmed with a beautiful lace. The blouse had long sleeves, and it was soft and flowing. Sitting at the small wooden dressing table, Clara brushed Blair's long hair, braiding it into one braid that shifted down and over her right shoulder. Small wisps of hair curled, framing her face. Clara unwrapped the last package and placed a small, intricate crown of flowers, held with braided ropes of wheat. She gently placed it on top of Blair's head like a halo.

Even as small as it was, she wished her sisters could see her, but she knew there would be many chances to celebrate with them in the future. She wouldn't let herself think otherwise. That hope she thought had slipped away, was brightly back in her heart.

"ye ready?" Clara asked, holding a small bouquet of flowers for her.

Blair nodded with a grin and took Clara's hand, making their way through the castle and out into the golden field at the top of the hill. As they crested, Blair found James standing with the priest, dressed in a crisp white blouse, his kilt, and a green and yellow sash, pinned to his shoulder with the crest of the McFerguson clan. He smiled brightly as Shamos and McCleary stood next to him, elbowing each other at how beautiful Blair looked.

Clara handed Blair her flowers and kissed her cheek, giving her arm to her to walk her to James. Blair gripped Clara's arm tightly, but kept her eyes on James, her heart swelling with excitement. Clara handed her arm over to James who winked at her. Blair giggled quietly and turned to face him as the priest began the service of marriage.

"Blessed are the two as ye come here today, in the waning sunlight and golden glow of the lands, to join together, under God. Yer marriage had been written in the books longer than yer life has been. To join ye together fer eternity, please take each other's hand."

Blair smiled at James as she reached out, grasping his hand. The priest laid a piece of green silken cloth over their hands and wrapped it three times. He looked to James and nodded. "Repeat after me. Neither above, nor below; neither in the sea, nor on shore, in skies above, nor in the depths. You are the kernel of my heart, you are the face of my sun, you are the harp of my music, you are the crown of my company."

James smiled at Blair as he repeated the words to her. Her heart beat wildly in her chest hearing him speak the song of eternal love. She had dreamt in her lonely hours that she would one day find love, but never thought it would happen. Now she stood in front of the man that she had always felt safe with, always trusted, pledging her life to him.

The priest had Blair repeat the words as well. When they were done, he read a passage from the Bible and blessed their marriage. "Under the guidance of our Lord, and the privilege of the McFerguson clan, ye are now husband and wife. Ye may kiss yer bride."

James lifted one hand and cupped Blair's face, pressing his lips ever so gently to hers. Blair's knees shook beneath her skirt, feeling as if she was melting right into him. The clapping of the others brought her attention back, and she laughed and smiled at James with bright-red cheeks. Clara walked up and broke a piece of bread over Blair's head. "May ye make many healthy babies."

She winked at Blair whose cheeks went bright red. Clara tucked a piece of the bread in the pocket of her skirt and tossed the other toward the guys, laughing as McCleary caught it and sighed. "Like we need more babes runnin' around."

Everyone laughed as James took Blair's hand and kissed her forehead. Blair leaned against him, looking out at the beautiful skies and the ocean far in the distance. "Now what?"

"Now we eat with our friends, and celebrate for the night."

Blair nodded and, keeping a tight hold on James' hand, followed the others down to the castle grounds where there was a table set up outside, surrounded by flickering candles, covered with food and drink. Clara's husband and McCleary's wife joined them as they sat and ate, listening to each of them tell a story, or say a prayer for the couple. They were served honey mead but ate modestly. Blair loved that James felt that he shouldn't have more than the people he cared for. The night was everything Blair could have ever wanted, except for her sisters. She knew though, James would not forget about them.

With her sisters in her heart, Blair allowed herself to enjoy the evening, laughing, singing, drinking, something she hadn't ever done before. In all her years hiding within the castle and surviving, she had never had friends to call her own. Until that night, Blair had never realized just how lonely her life had been up to that point.

As she sat listening to Shamos and McCleary tell stories, she felt James' hand slip over to her knee. Her cheeks went hot again, and a sudden panic whirled through her chest. There was one thing that happened after a wedding she hadn't thought about at all until that very moment. Suddenly, Blair no longer felt calm and at peace, instead, she felt incredibly nervous. She tried to calm herself, taking her glass and almost chugging her mead. She told herself that she would have time to push the nerves away, but she was definitely mistaken.

"Alright, everyone," Clara said, standing. "I think that we've monopolized our bride and groom enough for this night."

Shamos cleared his throat, swallowing the bread he was eating. "That's right. There are many other things that need to have time."

He wiggled his brow and Clara elbowed him, rolling her eyes. She turned to Clara and winked as the others stood. James pushed back his chair and turned to Blair, putting out his hand. Blair took a deep breath and took it, gripping it tightly as she rose to her feet. She glanced at James, noticing he looked slightly nervous as well. At least she wasn't in it alone.

The two walked toward the castle with the others following behind, singing and laughing. When they reached the door, James turned and lifted Blair into his arms. She gasped, not expecting it, and wrapped her arms around James' neck. Everyone cheered as James carried her over the threshold before waving and shutting the door behind him.

As he started to walk, Blair rested her head on his shoulder. "Ye don't have to carry me all the way there."

James looked at her and smiled. "And give up the chance to have ye in me arms? I think not, Lady McFerguson."

Blair giggled, holding him tightly as they made their way through the quiet, empty castle. He carried her to one of the rooms, the room that would be their room from then on. He opened the doors and walked inside, gently setting her down before closing the doors behind them. The room was three times the size of the one she had, with an enormous bed in the center, covered in lavish linens. Candles and lamps were lit around the room, and the fireplace roared, keeping out the chill of the evening air.

James walked back up to Blair and pushed a piece of hair from her face. "Did you enjoy the wedding?"

Blair grinned, putting her hands on his chest. "It was perfect, more than I could have asked for."

James nodded. "I wish yer sisters could have been there. But we will find a way, and they will celebrate with us when they get here."

Blair chuckled. "They're going to be so surprised to see you."

"We definitely have a tale to tell."

Silence fell between them and Blair could feel the tenseness circulating around them. James' hands rubbed around Blair's waist, resting on the small of her back. She looked up at him, finding his eyes had darkened and his lids had lowered. Very slowly, her fingers slipped over to the sash pinned on his shoulder. Carefully, she undid the pin and removed the sash, setting it on the table next to them. She then began to untie his tunic, his hands undoing the bow on the sash around her waist.

Blair reached down and pulled his tunic untucked, raising his arms in the air. She pulled the fabric up and over his head, letting it fall to the ground. Her hands slid down over his warm chest, her palms pressing against his muscles, her eyes taking in every inch of him. He leaned down and kissed her lips, suddenly spinning her around. She bit her lip as he undid the back of her skirt. It fell to the ground and she slowly turned to face him, wearing only her tunic.

James gently lifted the shirt up and over her head, dropping it to the ground. His hands immediately came back to her body, cupping her breasts as he kissed her lips. As he pulled away, he leaned down and scooped her into his arms, carrying her over to the bed. Gently, he laid her down, slipping out of his kilt before pulling back the covers and crawling underneath them.

Blair's hands raked gently through his hair as he rolled on top of her, his lips pressing to her warm skin, moving down her neck and over her shoulders. He lowered more, and she gasped as his lips danced and suckled her body. Rising back up, Blair wrapped her legs around him. He pushed his hands up her sides and raised her arms over her head, folding his fingers into hers. As he entered her, his lips pressed to hers.

The candlelight flickered wildly, dancing to the rhythm of everlasting love between Blair and James. As the sun set outside, James and Blair sunk deep into each other, allowing themselves to be one, to connect for the first time ever. That night, Blair and James not only became husband and wife, but their souls became one, and Blair knew that James would never leave her side, and that true love was something she had finally been granted.