Epilogue

EPILOGUE

R ory and Elvira were greeted with a hero's welcome by Tarbuck and the others when they returned to the tavern. Word had traveled fast, although they hadn't been aware if Rory and Elvira were alive. There were drinks all around, and then another round when Rory and Elvira announced that they were going to be married. They tarried while they celebrated, but then were on their way back home. An entourage of McKovac guards traveled with them, carrying a written decree from the new Laird that there would be no more threats to the surrounding land, and that any offending parties had been suitably punished.

When they reached home, the McKovac guards continued to the keep, while the others reunited with Torrin at the inn. Elvira and Rory were hugged by her grandmother. Elvira bent down and hugged her siblings as well. Torrin gave Rory a firm handshake, while Isla prepared hearty meals for them all. Tarbuck gave a garrulous laugh and slapped Rory on the back. He began telling the tale of their daring intrusion into McKovac lands. They all piped up as they ate and drank, sharing the danger and the thrill. Elvira and Rory spoke about the scenes within the keep, and how Laird McKovac finally met his end. Mirella closed her eyes at this, as though she was finally able to release some tension that had lingered within for so long.

Elvira and Rory remained sitting close to each other. She always made a point of touching him, her hand lingering on his arm or his thigh. Their legs were in constant contact, and she often rested her head against his shoulder. Isla observed this and pointed out that there might be some other news to share, and indeed the announcement was made. Torrin was the first to shake Rory's hand, complimenting Rory and Elvira. Isla rushed to Elvira's side and offered to help Elvira with anything she needed.

Elvira flashed a coy smile towards Rory. "I think the first thing we'll need help with is moving intae the forge. He is nae gaeing tae refuse us this time," she nudged Rory playfully. Rory wore an abashed smile, embarrassed about the way he had acted previously. He was able to laugh it off, however, for his rough edges had been smoothed away, and his true character had been revealed. He may have tried to avoid trouble, but sometimes trouble could lead to surprising things. He clutched Elvira's hand firmly and looked at her.

"How could I refuse ye from yer own home? It is as much yer forge now as it is mine," he said. Elvira kissed him on the cheek. There was a great cheer from Tarbuck and Rab, while Michael looked a little perturbed at the displays of public affection. He then cleared his throat and said that he had an announcement as well. All eyes turned to him. He wrung his hands together and his furtive gaze darted about the room.

"Well, I happened tae make the acquaintance of a rather… comely woman," Michael began. Tarbuck and Rab raised their eyebrows at this. "It seems she rather took a liking tae me and, well, she insisted that I return tae her as soon as possible. I dinnae think I am in a position tae refuse," he said awkwardly. The others laughed and said that it was about time Michael put down some roots, and perhaps the best thing for him was to find a woman who took his destiny into her hands.

While everyone else was celebrating, Rory and Elvira sneaked away from the tavern and returned to the forge. Ginger mewed loudly when they entered, turning her back on Rory for abandoning her.

"I'm sorry," Rory apologized. Ginger might have been angry, but the feline was still willing to accept the strokes that Rory offered. Ginger lifted her tail and paced around the room, as though this was Ginger's forge and Rory had to beg to be accepted again. Elvira laughed, but squeezed Rory's hand.

"Welcome home," he said, looking at her.

Some time passed since Elvira and her family had moved into the forge. It hadn't taken Rory long at all to get used to the company. In fact, he quite liked it. Elvira was still working in the tavern, but Mirella liked spending time at the forge, and she took on the duties of cooking. Tereza and Ollie were both fascinated by the forge. They were too young to be trusted near the heavy tools and hot fire, but Rory was happy enough to pass on his knowledge. He had them perform rudimentary tasks, and he was able to bond with them that way, which also helped bring him closer to Elvira.

As far as the rest of the clan went, things were peaceful. The McKovac guards had ridden up to the keep, at which point Glennrock had believed it was an invasion. He made the mistake of offering the clan's treasure as a peace offering before he had a chance to read the letter, and begged for mercy. He said that he could be very useful to Laird McKovac, and was willing to turn his back on his own clan. This was all related to Elvira and Rory later, by Declan.

When the McKovac entourage revealed that they were here to offer peace, Glennrock was revealed as the coward that he truly was. Everyone had seen his true colors, and Declan led a revolt against him, demanding that the letter be brought to the Laird as was only right. It was revealed that Glennrock had been keeping things from the Laird, who had no idea that anything was amiss at all. According to Declan, he was furious at Glennrock and dismissed him from his service immediately, exiling him so that Glennrock suffered the same fate he had once wished upon his own daughter. The Laird took the letter and all hostilities with the McKovac clan were ordered to remain in the past, which allowed a wonderful future to blossom, and there was no need for anyone to conspire against those in the keep.

Elvira and Rory did not want to wait too long to get married, but there were certain guests they wished to have at the wedding, and needed to wait for them. It was certainly worth the wait, however, as when Ian, Lucy, Anne, and Finlay appeared, it was a joyous occasion. Ian and Lucy looked hearty. He inspected the forge and nodded approvingly, saying that he knew he had left it in good hands. There was also an emotional reunion with Elvira as well, as they both lamented their lost families.

At least they had found happiness in the end, Elvira thought.

There was a moment of reflection shared between Anne and Rory, after they hugged, and he had given her a tour of the forge. Anne squeezed his hand and put her head on his shoulder, for now, he was far taller than her.

"Look at us, Rory. Can ye believe what we made of ourselves?"

Rory chortled and shook his head. "Sometimes I wake up, thinking that I'm gaeing tae see the stars. I still feel like this is all a dream, and I'm really just a wee lad, thinking about what my life is gaeing tae be like."

"I feel the same way. We did it, though. We made something of ourselves," Anne's eyes filled with tears. Rory was glad he wasn't as emotional as her, although he ended up blinking away the stinging sensation from his eyes anyway.

The wedding ceremony wasn't anything grand. Rory was not a pompous man, and in Romani culture the wedding ceremony itself was not important. They were married outside, holding their hands, promising themselves to each other, with their friends and loved ones witnessing the event. It was a ceremony close to nature, out in the open air, with the sky stretching above them, as eternal as their love.

Once they had spoken their vows, Mirella and Isla brought out some salted bread. They placed this on Elvira's lap, and then Rory took a piece and ate it. Elvira then took a piece herself. This symbolized a prosperous future for them both. After that, Torrin and Isla hosted a grand feast in the tavern. Minstrels had been hired to provide song and laughter. Rory and Elvira danced the night away, reveling in the moments they were sharing with each other, and the life they were about to embark on. The mood had been lifted completely, and no longer were the people of the clan concerned about their safety. Even Lucy did not have to be afraid, since her father was no longer present.

For Elvira, it was a time of acceptance. She was not made to feel different at all, or unwelcome. She was a member of the family, and this was her place in the world. She had escaped danger and found safety, and now she would form a nest here, creating a safe haven for her and her family. She spared a thought for her parents, wishing that they could have been present to share in the joyous occasion. Elvira consoled herself by thinking that Patrin and Maria were there in spirit.

The night was growing late. Rory and Elvira were both so overwhelmed by the presence of everyone that they tried to speak to them all. However, at one point, Ian sidled up to Rory and nudged him in the ribs.

"I think it's time for ye tae take yer bride and get out of here," Ian arched an eyebrow.

"I dinnae want tae be rude tae the guests," Rory replied. Ian laughed so hard that he doubled over. Lucy took Rory's hands and smiled sweetly. She led him to Elvira, who accepted Rory's invitation without hesitation. Rory tried to be surreptitious about it, but as they left there was an uproarious cheer. Rory cringed and paused, hating that it had become such common knowledge, but he and Elvira did not turn back.

They walked into the quiet forge. Even Ginger was wise enough to allow them to stay together. They went to the main bedroom and stood in front of the window. Rory lit a candle, which illuminated the room in an amber glow. Elvira stood before him. He unclasped her dress, peeling it away from her skin. It flowed away, revealing her curves. As inch by inch of her skin was exposed, his arousal grew. Elvira did the same with him, admiring his male form. She ran her hands along his chest, down his stomach, across his arms, drinking all of him in. She stepped towards him, pressing her body against his, enjoying the tactility of his touch. He twined his fingers in her hair as they kissed deeply. Her body arched like a bow, and they sank to the bed. He kept his strong arms wrapped around her body as he came over her, holding her close. She wrapped her arms and legs around him like vines. Their kisses gave way to breathless moans as the heat surged through them.

Rory buried himself in the crook of her neck. The heat they created together was more intense than that of the forge itself, and what they created was like nothing Rory had made before. It was pure and soft, raging like liquid heat, before sizzling in the air. He lost himself in her, running his hands across her breasts, delving deep into her femininity. Elvira used her artful hands to direct his manhood towards her. She yielded to his force, embracing the yearning within. They came together, opening their minds and their hearts to each other. The world rolled around them as Elvira's eyes rolled into the back of her head and Rory's hips thrust powerfully, endlessly, rampantly. The future waited for them, but for now, all they needed was this single night of passion.

Thank you so much for reading my novel!