Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

O ver the last few days before Samhain, Mae and Niall, observing Brian's escalating descent into paranoia, continued to push the boundaries of the ruse. They crafted increasingly elaborate encounters, strategically timed to amplify his distress. Doors creaked open on their own, gusts of wind whispered eerie melodies, and faint whispers echoed through the corridors, ensuring that Brian remained perpetually on edge.

The castle walls seemed to absorb the mounting tension, their ancient stones seemingly conspiring with Mae and Niall to fuel the illusion. The Donald clan, fully committed to the performance, became adept at maintaining the facade, exchanging knowing glances and suppressing laughter as they witnessed Brian's unraveling. The once-impervious Campbell spy had become a puppet in their carefully orchestrated production, tormented by the very shadows that danced upon the castle's walls.

But Brian's demeanor also meant he became unhinged in other aspects. On the night before Samhain, an extremely drunk Brian followed Mae once again toward her bed chamber.

Mae didn't think the ruse would work again as it had before, so she merely went into her room and locked the door. The plan she'd worked out with Dub Sith was to happen on Samhain, so it was too early to pull that off, she'd have to come up with something else, and quickly if he tried to come to her room.

Mae stood in the middle of her room wondering what she could do to scare him again, but without anyone to help create the distraction, she was at a loss. Before she could even grab the fire poker, Brian was banging on her door.

"You owe me favors," Brian slurred with each pound of his fist enunciating the words. "I want you an' I plan to have you?—"

Mae yanked the door open, staring daggers at the drunken slob in front of her. "I don't owe you anything, you asshole—" she started but then she felt a cold chill race up her back and noticed her room growing darker and darker behind her. She swallowed hard and watched as Brian's face paled and his eyes widened in absolute terror. The next thing she knew the darkness was creeping around her, over her head as though about to swallow her.

Brian let out a horrified shriek, his bravado shattered in an instant as he began to back away.

Reacting swiftly, Mae instinctively stepped back into the darkness and felt the solid body that was there, but she wasn't afraid. It was there to protect her, she could feel it. Niall, approached from down the hall.

Mae flashed her gaze to him, and he pulled his sword as he charged forward. She held her breath as she waited to see what would happen next. She hadn't expected Niall to grab her arm and pull her into the hall and push her behind him.

"Nae harm will come to you, love, I will defend you," Niall declared, his voice laced with determination as he brandished his sword. His stance was resolute, ready to defend against any perceived threat, even if it existed solely in the realm of the supernatural.

Mae stood behind him, her heart racing as she watched everything playing out before them.

The shadowy specter seemed to waver, its ethereal form pulsating as if caught between the world of the living and the realm of the departed. The air crackled with an eerie energy, as if the very fabric of reality trembled in the face of this supernatural encounter. The castle walls seemed to shake and undulate, awaiting the outcome of this confrontation.

Niall stepped forward and made a stand. "Viking, you may not mark her… what are your true intentions here?"

The figure remained unmoving, its purposes shrouded in mystery, as if taunting Niall to take the first move.

Brian whimpered and covered his head and he cowered on the hallway floor.

With a final defiant glare, Niall slowly stepped forward, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. He charged the figure and ran into the bedroom, then slammed the door. The moment hung in suspended animation, the clash between mortal and apparition impending. Mae, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins, whispered words of encouragement, urging, "Be careful!"

Brian, however, went even lower and slid against the wall. Then he was crawling, moving past her and then regained his feet and scurried away in sheer terror, his face pale and his limbs trembling. He shouted all the way down the halls until his voice was heard no more.

Suddenly the door reopened, and Niall began to laugh softly. Mae too started giggling and their amusement echoed through the corridor, intermingling with the fading echoes of Brian's panicked footsteps and screams of terror. The shadowy figure transformed before their eyes, revealing itself to be Dub Sith, the mischievous Fae.

Dub Sith, now fully in his human-like appearance, turned to Mae, his eyes filled with a mix of mischief and genuine concern. He inquired, "My dear girl, does this make up for my initial secrecy surrounding the destination I've brought you to?" A playful smile playing at the corners of his lips.

Mae, her surprise giving way to a warm smile, nodded affirmatively. "You had already done that, Dub Sith, though I have to say I was a bit surprised to have you appear today, I thought we were waiting for Halloween, I mean Samhain for the big scare," she replied.

"I was keeping an eye upon the situation and after speaking with Niall earlier, I thought perhaps I had better be prepared if the opportunity arose."

Niall, chuckling, clapped a hand on Dub Sith's shoulder. "I won't say I am grateful for your assistance, but…" he trailed off, giving Dub a wide grin, expressing his approval of their collaborative effort.

Dub Sith's smile widened to show sharp pointy teeth that Mae had not really noticed before, but his eyes twinkled merrily so she knew he wasn't a threat to her and Niall. "I greatly enjoyed that. I shall keep an eye out for further pranks we can pull upon this unsuspecting Cambell spy." He winked and then with a wave, popped out of existence.

Mae shook her head and just smiled and she and Niall returned to her room for the night.

By morning, it turned out that Brian's nerves had finally reached their breaking point. He hastily departed from the castle, his face drained of color and several of his belongings left behind in his haste. The atmosphere among the Donald clan was filled with a relief and amusement, as they watched Brian retreat in defeat on horseback racing from the castle gates and down the path on the hill.

The weight of victory hung in the air as Mae locked eyes with Niall. She felt a distinct sense of accomplishment and triumph that they'd managed to rid the castle of Brian the troublemaker.

A smile played at the corners of her lips as she closed the distance between her and Niall, her heart bursting with a surge of affection and admiration. Leaning in, she pressed her lips to his, a kiss that celebrated their shared victory and the bond they had forged amidst the trials and tribulations of their journey.

As their lips parted, Mae could taste the sweetness of triumph and the tang of the Scottish air on her tongue. She gazed into Niall's eyes, their depths mirroring the vastness of the Highland landscape that surrounded them. In that fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still, and the world faded away, leaving only the two of them and the magnitude of their shared victory.

"Well done, the two of you," Lachlan said, coming toward them with a grin. "Everyone is glad to see the back of him."

"I'm just glad it worked," Mae replied, tucking herself into the side of Niall's body as he wrapped an arm around her.

"With Brian gone, the Chief would like to see you both, he sent me to fetch you," Lachlan added.

"Where is he?" Niall asked. "I would have thought he would be out here watching Brian hightail it off of Donald lands."

"Aye, he's in his office chamber, he's mentioned something about tying up loose ends."

Cam's summons to his chambers drew Mae and Niall's attention, and they hurried to see what it was he needed from them. Mae was slightly concerned that he might be thinking of sending her back home somehow, which she suddenly found herself balking at. She didn't want to leave.

"Niall," she began, worriedly, "you don't think Cam is going to send me back to my time, do you?"

Niall paused his steps and pulled her into his arms. "Nae, love. That isnae possible unless Dub Sith wants it to happen and from my talk with him, I know that isnae what he wants. He brought you here to me and here you'll stay, unless you donnae want to stay here with me?"

"Oh, I do want to, that's why I was suddenly worried." Mae smiled. "But if Cam can't send me back, and that's not why he wants to see us, then I'm wondering what other loose ends he means."

"We'd best find out then," Niall said as he knocked upon the door.

"Enter," Cam called. "Ah, good, I was hoping you'd join me," he said when they entered. "I wanted to congratulate you on ridding us of Brian. However, in his haste to be gone from here, it seems he's left a great deal of his belongings behind."

"Did he?" Mae snickered.

Cam's lips twitched in a grin. "Aye, and I need to send someone to deliver them and perhaps make sure we are still in good standing with the Campbells, especially after the letters I am quite sure Brian had been sending to the Laird. I donnae want to suddenly find that we should be preparing for war, or have our taxes raised because he couldnae handle being here."

Niall asked, "Would you like Lady Mae and I to make this delivery?"

Cam's grin widened. "Aye, that would do nicely, and it will give you a chance to show Lady Mae more of what we have to offer here in Scotland. I imagine she will enjoy seeing a larger town and do some shopping while you're there."

Mae's eyes lit up at that. She hadn't imagined there would be a town large enough to shop, but then her face fell, she didn't have money. "I would enjoy that Chief Cam, but I'm afraid I don't have any money."

Cam pulled two small bags from his desk drawer and tossed them to each of them. "This is for you, for your efforts in ridding us of the Campbell spy. Tis but a token, Mae, but it should buy you a new dress or two and perhaps some fabric for a new cloak. Winter is coming and you'll need something warm."

"Thank you so much," Mae said, feeling grateful as she tucked the bag into her skirt pocket.

"We'll leave in the morning at first light," Niall said, tying his bag to his kilt, "Did you have further need of us?"

Cam shook his head. "Enjoy the rest of your day. I'll see you when you return."

The next morning, Mae and Niall rode side by side in one of Fort Donald's wagons pulled by a team of two horses, the sound of their laughter filled the air as they shared tales from their pasts. Mae couldn't get over the beauty of the landscape as it unfolded before them. It was a breathtaking tapestry of lush meadows, rugged cliffs, and shimmering lochs. Niall told her that while that day was sunny and not very chilly, the weather was going to get more rainy with high gail winds and very cold pretty soon. Not only that, but in the winter, they could see the amazing lights in the northern skies that were magical to behold. She was very much looking forward to seeing them, once she had the proper attire for the weather.

As the sun began to go down, Mae and Niall rode into a quaint oceanside village, their arrival met with curious glances from the villagers who paused their daily activities to observe the newcomers. To Mae the village seemed frozen in time and reminded her of the various movies she'd seen based in Elizabethan times, which was less than a hundred years ago from where she was now. Rows of stone cottages lined narrow cobblestone streets, their thatched roofs weathered by the salty sea air. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the town, mingling with the briny aroma of the nearby shoreline.

Mae couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the countless treasures this land held, both in its rugged landscapes and in the hearts of its people.

Dismounting from their wagon, Niall helped Mae down and tied the horses to a post. He and Mae made their way toward the inviting warmth of a nearby tavern called Ballygrant Inn. The rustic charm of the building beckoned them, its worn wooden sign creaking gently in the ocean breeze. The sound of merry laughter and clinking glasses spilled from within, drawing them closer to the promise of respite and camaraderie.

Stepping through the tavern's door, Mae's senses were immediately assailed by the lively atmosphere within. The air was thick with the fragrance of ale and the hearty aroma of simmering stew. The tavern was alive with conversation and music, the melodic strains of fiddles and jovial voices filling the space.

Finding an empty table, Mae and Niall settled in, their weary bodies grateful for the chance to rest. They leaned back against the sturdy wooden chairs, taking a moment to soak in the vibrant energy that filled the tavern.

"Welcome to the Ballygrant Inn, what can I get you?" the barmaid asked.

"We'll have some ale and a meal, if'n you've got it," Niall answered.

"Aye, we've got lamb stew. I'll have some out to you in a moment," she said before scurrying off, back to the kitchen.

Mae thought about how going out in her time there were a plethora of options but here it was a eat what they've got or don't eat at all kind of atmosphere, and she found that didn't really bother her at all. The food in this time period was so flavorful and filling, she looked forward to just about everything she'd been given.

"You seem amused, love," Niall murmured.

She nodded and said, "I was just musing about the food here and how much I enjoy it."

"Well, the cook at the Ballygrant is quite skilled, you willnae go hungry, I promise."

A moment later, the barmaid returned. Mae's gaze met Niall's as she set their plates of tantalizing stew before them. The savory aroma of the lamb stew filled the air, making their mouths water in anticipation. Niall chuckled.

"Ah, a meal fit for a king," he exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with delight. "And queen," he added, looking at Mae with a grin.

"It does look that way, this portion is huge." Mae turned her gaze to the barmaid and said, "Thank you so much."

"My pleasure, Miss." She bobbed a curtsy and then jotted off to help someone else.

Mae and Niall began eating and their conversation lagged. They were both too hungry and the food too good to allow for conversation until they were both satiated.

The barmaid returned just as they finished eating. "Would you like more, or are you ready for another ale?"

Niall grinned mischievously, a twinkle in his eyes. "Aye, lass, ye've spoiled us with this fine meal. I cannae remember the last time I enjoyed a meal as much as this but I find myself quite full." He looked over at Mae and said, "What about you, love? Would you like another helping?"

Mae wiped her mouth and smiled. "Oh, no. As much as I'd love to say yes, I think I would have to be rolled out of here if I ate any more."

"I shall tell Cook you said so," the barmaid said as she removed their crockery. "Perhaps another ale before you are on your way, or shall you be spending the night with us?"

"We'll be letting a room, if you've one available, but yes, another ale would do us well," Niall replied.

"I will let the innkeeper know and return with your ale."

As they enjoyed their second ales, their conversation shifted to talking about the trip and the wonders they had encountered along the way, which turned into Niall telling her of other trips he'd made. He recounted a humorous encounter with a mischievous Highland cow that had crossed his path and chased him, causing his horse to veer off course and end up knee-deep in mud. It had taken a good hour to get him out, but he'd been none the worse for wear. Mae's laughter mingled with his as he told her about the event.

"You know, Mae, I never expected to find such companionship and love in this life. You have brought joy to my life, and you own my heart," he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity.

Mae's heart swelled, at his words. "Niall, you have my heart too. I've fallen in love with you."

He drew her up from her chair and toward the front of the inn, quickly getting them a room. Once upstairs, he made quick work of getting her out of her dress and then spent the rest of the night making love to her and showing her how much he loved her.