29. Chapter 29 - Kaitlyn

CHAPTER 29 - KAITLYN

THE WEDDING FEAST IN THE GREAT HALL, STIRLING CASTLE - JUNE 18, 1291

L ochinvar and Ash came down for the feast. They looked flushed with excitement, blushing about what they had been up to, and deeply in love, as honeymooners should. The feast was grand, and then we had peach pies. Two.

Chef Zach lamented, “I worked on them for hours, it’s like baking while camping. Not easy. Followed your recipe though, they look delicious.”

Ash blushed, “I’m sure they’re perfect. I’m glad you were able to bake them, I promised Lochinvar but we were um... napping.”

Hayley laughed.

Lochinvar kissed Ash’s cheek and rubbed his hands together excitedly.

Chef Zach handed Ash the knife, and as she sliced the pie, Lochinvar looked delighted. She served him a piece first, a bit of cream poured beside it, and he had the look on his face of someone whose dreams had come true.

I glanced at Magnus and Fraoch, who were beaming proudly on their younger brother.

Ash took a piece and then Chef Zach cut the rest and passed them out, performing his magic trick of somehow getting the perfect amount of slices out of the pies so that everyone had one, even a teensy bit for Jack.

Cailean loved it, he said, “I hae never tasted such fruit, Mag Mòr, tis wondrously sweet.”

We all ate. I said, “Ash, I am very glad you’re in the family now, we needed a dedicated pie baker.”

Chef Zach said, “I am not going to argue on that.”

Magnus pushed back his chair and raised his mug.

Fraoch said, “Och nae, here we go again with the auld man givin’ a toast.”

Magnus said, “Put up yer mug, stop bellyachin’.” We all raised our mugs.

Magnus said, “Lochinvar, I see ye are verra pleased with yer match and I want ye tae ken we are verra proud of ye — May ye both be bless’d with the fortitude of heaven, the full bright shine and heat of the dawnin’ sun, the guidance of stars, and the leading glow of the waxin’ moon. May ye hae the magnificence of a fire warm in yer hearth, the pleasure of a cool breeze, a firm ground, and a strong foundation for yer home. May yer joys be as sweet as the blossoms in spring and as radiant as the summer heat. May the shower of autumn leaves bring ye faith and fortune, and may yer love be resilient amidst the long winter nights.”

We all said, “Slàinte!”

Fraoch said, “Twas lovely as always and especially because twas short.”

Magnus laughed as he sat down.

Fraoch said, “... and I agree with every word of it, except he dinna say a word about providin’ for yer wife, so I will add, ‘May ye hae the good fortune of a fish on yer line at the end of every day.”

We all raised our glasses and said, “Hear hear!”

Chef Zach raised his glass. “May your larder be full with cookies, your house filled with the scent of them.”

The kids all cheered.

Sean raised his mug. “May yer halls ring with the voices of yer sons.”

We said, “Slàinte!”

Isla said, “And daughters!”

Sean raised his glass toward her, “And the bonny daughters as well.”

Lochie raised his mug. “Tae my wife, thank ye for takin’ me on. I am not always the best man, nor the wisest of men, but I am yers tae my final day and I am verra grateful tae ye for the taste of yer pie.”

The kids cheered, we all said, “Slàinte!”

Ash had tears rolling down her face.

He put his arm around her and they kissed.

Once we had calmed, Chef Zach leaned back and patted his stomach, “ Now what do we do?”

Lochie stood and pulled up a plastic bag from near his feet. The kind of bag that came from a convenience store. “First, I hae presents for all.”

He went around passing out a pen to each person at the table, including Jack.

Then he said, “Tis a pen! And a weapon, and a light!” He began unscrewing it to show everyone and the entire table went quiet as we were investigating, and the kids were excitedly opening theirs up and then they cheered when they found all the parts.

Then the kids stood on their chairs and gave a round of applause.

Lochie said, “Och, tis verra grand, I hoped ye would love it.”

He looked at Ash proudly. Then he said, “Ash and I are going tae return tae Balloch.”

Magnus raised his brow. “When — now?”

Lochie said, “Aye, Ash and I discussed it, we regret not bringing the weapons, we will return tae Balloch and help Quentin bring them on the morrow.”

Magnus nodded. “Aye, Lochinvar, thank ye.”

“Ye’re welcome.”

I said, “Ash, you want to go? You don’t want to stay here with us?”

She said, “No, I’m going to go with him, I’m on my honeymoon. We need to stick together while we run the king’s guns.”

Magnus asked, “Dost anyone else want tae return tae more modern days?”

Archie said, “Not me!” All the kids yelled, “Not me too!”

I said, “I think we’re decided, we’re happy, English scouts or not, to be together.”

Zach looked at Emma, “We’re staying too. We’ll leave if shit goes down, but for now we’ll stick together. It’s like Kilchurn, back in 1707, except even fewer comforts.”

Magnus joked, “Och nae, Chef Zach, ye calling my castle uncomfortable?”

Zach leaned forward with a fork in his fist. “We had to bring our own utensils.”

Magnus nodded. “Aye, I canna deny it, we want for some basic comforts.” He grinned, “Tis the royal we.”