25. Chapter 25 - Kaitlyn

CHAPTER 25 - KAITLYN

DAWN, STIRLING CASTLE - JUNE 18, 1291

A sh was bathed in sweet-smelling floral water, dressed in her bright pink underpants and bra, while we picked out a fine tunic dress in a pale blue for her, it was the closest I could find to white. Her sleeves were long, and the inside color was a deep blue, the edges were embroidered with intricate floral patterns. She looked really beautiful. We pinned her short hair back with bobby pins and put a white veil over her hair, a small pretty gold pin holding it on.

While she readied, Emma asked, “So what happened, Ash? I thought you and Lochie were settled, as good as married.”

She was looking down at her dress as we draped a pale blue cloak on her shoulders.“Well, I don’t want to piss anyone off, I promise this is not meant that way, but sometimes , the people around Lochie?—”

I said, “Meaning us?”

“Yes, sometimes you don’t take him seriously. Lady Lizbeth told me I ought to marry him in front of Magnus so that he would know that Lochinvar was serious about being responsible.”

I said, “Ah, so it was Lizbeth…”

Emma said, “Classic Lizbeth.”

I pinned a pretty gold brooch at her collar. “I don’t know if I can agree that we don’t take him seriously… Magnus owes Lochie his life, so does Fraoch?—”

Hayley said, “But they all tease him mercilessly.”

I said, “They love him, he’s their brother. They just treat him like that because they think he’s young.”

Ash said, “It’s sort of the same thing, you know?”

“I suppose it is, and yeah, I think it matters a lot to Magnus that there will be a church wedding, it will likely raise Lochie in their respect to witness him married.”

I appraised her. “That is really wise, you know, I just hope you understand, he needs someone to be wise. He’s strong and capable, but also what we might call a ‘handful.’ He can be impetuous. This life is so... it’s difficult. There’s danger and near death experiences?—”

Hayley said, “Daily.”

I nodded. “Right now the English King is being a threat. This could mean war, the kind with attacks on a castle, and this is just our newest danger, this whole life you’ve chosen is likely to be really hard. I hope you understand what you’re signing up for... but then again you were a soldier, right? You get it.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I think I get it. I served in the Army, it was really hard, but I wouldn’t trade it.”

I dug through the makeup bag for some powder.

I said, “So you’re going to marry Lochinvar. Got any worries besides... you know, impending war?”

“I’m worried that I can barely survive a horse ride. I’m actually kind of freaked out about embarrassing myself around the horses.”

“Been there, no worries, you’ll learn to ride, I’m sure of it. Necessity alone will force you to learn, but also, there is a positive aspect, way beyond transportation: it is really hot riding alongside them.”

I dusted powder on Ash’s nose.

Hayley said, her eyes dreamy and faraway, “I look at Fraoch’s knee, sticking out of his kilt, against his horse, and it slays me.” She fanned herself. “How do modern women even like their husbands without seeing their knees like that on a horse?”

We laughed.

Emma said, “Just smile at him with those dimples, Ash, and Lochie will forgive you for not being good with riding.”

She nodded. “Okay, good advice, I won’t sweat the horses.”

Emma smeared a little bit of pale pink on Ash’s lips and then held up a mirror for her. “You look really beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Hayley said, “But since we’ve been pretty positive, maybe we need to talk some sense too, you sure you’re ready for this? You’re about to tie yourself to Lochinvar for good or bad, you’re going to become his ride or die. You’ll be his make or break?—”

Emma said, “She understands, Hayley, no need to go negative, you’re going to freak her out.”

I said, “Lochinvar was an orphan growing up in a medieval castle who found out that he’s the brother of a king. And still , Ash is going to be the best thing that ever happened to him.”

Ash gulped. “You have a lot of faith in me, how do you know?”

“Because this decision, making him marry you was so good, it portends for a good future.”

Hayley said, “Yeah, you’ll be able to guide him, but if I could ask for a favor, if you could guide him into not taking Fraoch’s seat all the time, that would be great. Fraoch hates it when Lochie takes his chair.”

I laughed, “I don’t think any of us can stop the Campbell brothers from arguing.”

Hayley said, “Speaking of brothers, have you heard about Finch Mac?”

“Who, Finch Mac the musician... What about him?”

Hayley said, “He’s a brother.”

“Jeez Louise, no, really?”

Hayley nodded. “So what we’re saying is it will be really hard, full of danger, you gotta keep him in fighting shape, keep him from arguing with his elders, but also free concert tickets.”

“That’s some trade off.”

“Yeah. Worth it. Finch Mac is great.”

“What you’re saying is their dad got around.”

“All of them have different mothers, yep. We don’t talk about Donnan, the dad, if we can help it.” I gulped, I hated even saying his name. “They all had a claim to the throne, but it was Lady Mairead who made it happen for Magnus. She’s formidable.”

Hayley said, “You met her, she’s a Queen bitch. Don’t cross her, I do my best to never even talk to her, just don’t.”

Ash said, “Lochie thinks she’s a funny old broad.”

I groaned. “Your first job in civilizing him is to gently remind him to never say that in front of her.”

Ash asked, “Where is Fraoch’s mother?”

Hayley, Emma, and I all said, “Dead.”

Ash nodded and put out her arms. “So what do you think, do I look good for a wedding?”

I said, “You look beautiful. Lochie is going to lose his mind.”

She giggled, “That’s not hard, he’s desperate.”

Emma joked, “What’s it been, a whole week while he waited to make an honest woman of you? The poor guy.”

Hayley laughed. “Have you just been beating his hands off you all night?”

“I made him sleep in the hall.”

We all laughed. I said, “Man, Magnus and Fraoch would have loved to see that.”

“Don’t tell them, please. He’s barely holding it together.”

Emma said, “You are good at this.”

“Making him miserable?”

Emma said, “No, making him grow up and do the right thing. He needs you, desperately. I think you’re going to be good for him.”

Hayley said, “I agree, he’s lucky he found you.”

I nodded. “Definitely.”

“Awesome, thank you.”

Ash looked really beautiful, we put the final touches on her dress making sure she looked perfect.

I said, “You ready?”

“Well, I’ve been kidnapped, injured, I was in a battle, learned about time travel, have almost died like fifteen times, so many times. I thought I just met a hot guy in a bar and so far it’s been one long near-death experience. So I don’t know if I’m ready, but I do love him and I really believe he loves me too, and what do we really ever know about our future? We have today, we hope for tomorrow.”

I said, “Time is a wheel, hold on, we’re rolling.”

She smiled. “You guys keep saying that — time is a wheel.”

“It is, we learned the hard way.”

She sighed. “Okay then, yeah, I’m ready.”

We swept from the room to meet the men outside of the chapel.