81. Chapter 81 - Magnus

We planned tae meet outside the Great Hall in a couple of hours so I could give everyone a good tour of the castle but in the meantime all were shewn tae their rooms tae rest after the journey.

I led my wife and bairns up the stairs tae m'chamber tae shew them where we would be livin' for a time.

Jack had fallen asleep, Isla and Archie were worn out from the travelin', we all sat on the settee in front of m'fireplace, and I had m'arms around them.

"I hae sat here many a night alone, mo reul-iuil."

Archie said, "It's funny that you know this place and we've never seen it before."

"Aye, tis like being torn asunder, now I feel mended that ye are here."

Isla said, "Da, you never be alone again, we will always be here." Then there was a knock on the door.

Ben and Zoe entered and Ben said, "Want to come see our room?"

Archie and Isla jumped up and followed Ben and Zoe out to go see their chambers.

Kaitlyn laughed. "That was very quick how she swore she would never leave you and then she did."

"Aye, I must grow used tae it." I kissed her on her temple.

She reached up and stroked the side of m'face. "You missed us while we were away?"

"I ken it wasna long, but?—"

"It was over four centuries."

"Aye, there is somethin' about being this deep in the past that gives me a melancholy, mo reul-iuil. I miss ye and the bairns deeply. I am uneasy, ye ken; I hae experienced it many times before, and I ought tae be used tae it, but I canna be. I am in the past, the sun has set upon me. I brood that I might be lost in the depths of time?—"

"You are being very dark."

"Aye, when I am in the past alone, the nights are long."

She stood and took my hand. "Have I said to you, Master Magnus, good morning?"

"Nae, I daena think ye hae yet."

She wordlessly drew me up from the settee and through the room tae our bed.

The End.