70. Chapter 70 - Magnus

We approached from the southeast, marveling at the sight of the grassy slope risin' tae the timber walls of the castle. Twas a familiar approach, the thick wooden gate and timber walls ahead of us enclosing a few stone buildings: a stone chapel, a low stone building for kitchens and storerooms, and the King's house, the three-story stone building that held the royal bedrooms and offices. The Great Hall, the barracks for the men, the stables, and a few other buildings were all built of timber.

I had barely remembered this place, but now it all seemed familiar, and as I always thought in this approach, I wished that m'walls were higher and made of stone.

As we neared we were spotted by my guards. Four men rushed forward, bowing and filing around us. Two other men rushed away. I knew they were going to find Cailean, tae tell him I had returned.

Fraoch said, under his breath, "Tis as if ye never left."

"Aye."

Fraoch looked across the courtyard tae the King's house. "Until we walked through the gate I dinna remember this place, now tis familiar. I even hae a room, daena I hae a room?"

"I daena remember. But more importantly, do I hae a room? I think mine is there." I pointed at the upper window.

Cailean rushed tae the courtyard. "Magnus! Fraoch! M'apologies, Yer Majesty, m'apologies." He bowed. "I wasna expecting ye, Yer Majesty, until later in the week. Did ye hae good travels? Ye ought tae hae taken yer guard!"

I dinna remember what I had told him, so I said, "I ken, Cailean, sometimes a man daena want a guard. They are a great deal of flatulence and not much in the way of good conversation."

Cailean grinned, chuckling, and said, "Tis true."

"But aye, my travels were verra fruitful."

"Good, and I daena mean tae insult ye, but ye hae the stench of the road upon ye, Yer Majesty."

I laughed. "I assume I do, I ought tae wash and dress."

"While ye do I will ask the guard tae raise yer standard on the walls, and inform the kitchens — I canna promise a feast, but we will do our best, we werna expecting ye!" He turned tae Fraoch, "I will give ye a room on the second floor, tis under my room. I hope ye will be good with the arrangement. Magnus has allowed me the best room because I am stiff and achy with my age."

Fraoch said, "Of course. I think that is the one I always hae...?"

"Ye haena been here, Fraoch. I would hae remembered!"

Fraoch winced, "Aye, ye are right, Cailean, on our travels Magnus told me so many stories that it seems as if I lived here all m'life. M'point, Cailean, is that Magnus talks a great deal."

I said, "Tis better tae be known as a great talker, than as ye are, filled with flatulence."

Cailean laughed. "I had forgotten how ye both speak in jest with each other. Ye are reminding me of yer bickering in the tent in the battlefields, when we were gaining your crown — how is Haggis by the way?"

"He is verra good, he is guardin' the bairns at home, a verra cù math."

"I look forward tae meetin' yer bairns."

"I will bring them soon, how are yer sons?"

"Verra well, I will send word that ye hae returned, they will want tae come celebrate."

"I look forward tae it."

He led us up the stairs. "Fraoch, I will shew ye tae yer room."

I followed him up, but continued on tae the third floor, and my room, I now remembered it well.