Chapter Twenty-Nine

Eli could barely wait to get back to Ramsay land. She'd been so excited when they'd reached the tree that signaled the crossover that she nearly hooted.

And Alaric noticed.

"Ye are that excited to be home again?"

"God's b…" Hell, but she knew Alaric hated when she cursed about the Lord so she changed it for him. "Spit and slime, but aye, I'm glad. I'm so worried about Grandmama. Forgive me, but I fear she may no' still be alive."

He grabbed the reins of her horse to pull her closer, then leaned over and kissed her neck. She couldn't stop the quick reaction she had to the brawny man, her insides twittering as she gasped with delight. Aye, but she did enjoy the physical part of their relationship.

"I thank ye for changing yer words," he said.

"What words did I change?" Dammit to hell, but he made her forget everything.

"God's?"

"Och, aye, ye are correct. I did it to please ye, so I'm happy ye noticed." She was gloriously glad no one could see them when he stuck his tongue out and wagged it at her with a saucy grin. She blushed so quickly that he broke out in guffaws.

Hell, but she'd not forgotten how he'd used that tongue of his. Her mind couldn't help but go to that activity, and she wondered if she could return the favor. She glanced over at him, her tongue licking her lips and his reaction was instantaneous.

"Dinnae do that. And whatever ye are thinking, please dinnae say it. Please!"

She threw her head back and laughed, pleased she had thought of something new for them to try.

A few moments later, her sire and brother were nearly upon them, Kyle and Kyler with them.

"Ye had a safe journey? No English roaming about after Skaithmuir?" her father asked.

"No one bothered us," Alaric replied. "Though we did meet a fool of a Scot on Cameron land. Brin sent him out, and we've not seen him since. I wouldnae be surprised if he turns up, though."

Eli had to agree with Alaric about Egan. She didn't think he was done bothering them.

Alaric went on. "Ye havenae met a Scot named Egan here, have ye? He was looking for an archer to marry. Thought he'd grab Eli."

Her father's eyes widened. "What happened?"

"Ye need no' worry. My fist in his face convinced him she was unavailable."

Her father grinned and said, "Nice job, Grant."

Eli rolled her eyes at the story. The foolish bastard had thought he could just walk up and take her simply because he wanted her. As if no lass had the right to make her own decision over who she married.

"Daughter? Ye are hale? Ye look a wee bit grumpy."

"I'm fine, Da. I was just thinking of that fool thinking he could just take me and I'd have to marry him. I wish he had tried. I would have kicked him in the bollocks until he cried."

"Good thing Mama isn't here to hear ye talk like that, Eli." Her brother's taunt came out in a singing tone.

"Close yer mouth, Errol." She glared at her brother, and they all laughed.

Of course they would laugh. None of them knew what it was like to be a lass and have everyone else make your decisions for you. Or try to. "Da, how is Grandmama?"

"No improvement, lass. I'm worried, and so is Grandda."

"May I go see her?"

"Aye. Grandda is in the stables brushing down his horse. She's sitting and watching the archers practice. Go visit with her. She'll appreciate it."

"She's outside?"

"Aye, Grandda brought her out because she's miserable inside. And 'tis a pretty spring day. There are clouds but ye can see the blue sky and the air is warm. Even the birds seem happy today."

They came up to the archery field and her sire pointed her grandmother out. "She's just there. Go visit her, and we'll be in the hall. Alaric, come with us. I wish to hear more about this Egan."

Eli said, "Then I definitely will visit her, because I dinnae wish to hear anything more about that arsehole."

Her father shook his head slowly. "Alaric, it doesnae bother ye, her cursing? Her mother always gets after her."

"She gave up blaspheming for me. I can't ask more than that, Gavin."

Her father laughed, and they went their separate ways, parting with a wave. She drew up close, pleased to see her grandmother was awake in her chair, her bad leg propped up on a cushioned stool. She was engrossed in watching Ysenda, Thea, Willum, Wenna, and a few others practice. Eli tethered her horse and joined her grandmother, sitting in the grass next to her.

"Greetings, Grandmama. I see Grandda found ye a nice chair."

"Och, he did. My back hurts too much to sit in the grass, and I'd never get up again. This is perfect for me."

"What is it made of?"

"Donnan made it for me. Bethia sewed the cloth around the wood so I can settle in it with my back up. All I need is a stump to rest my foot on, and I'm all set. Now I can come out here every day if the weather is fine."

"How is yer knee? And yer fever?"

"No better. Aunt Brenna says she cannae do anything more for me."

"Then ye can fight it on yer own. Ye might still get better."

"Nay, lass. If I were yer age, I might, but no' being the old lady I am. I know no' how much longer, but I think I may only see one more Christmas."

Eli grabbed on to that thought. One Christmas. She wouldn't have guessed she could hold on that long, so that certainly eased her worries. And perhaps by then, they would discover something new to help her.

"How was yer trip with yer new husband? The Grants were happy to see ye? And how are Alaric's brother and father?"

"We had a nice trip to see his family. His father still canno' walk and has to protect his leg with that splint, but his sons move him about. And Els was on his horse. He struggles to walk fast, but he is moving on his own. He talks, but slowly, and the bump on his head is nearly gone. Alaric was pleased to see his progress."

"And they accepted ye as Alaric's wife?"

"Aye. Did ye think they wouldnae?"

"Nay, I knew they would. Yer sister is making big plans. Ye might wish to go ask her about them."

Her sister must have heard her grandmother because she squealed and raced back to give Eli a big hug. "Guess what? We're planning a wedding."

"Ye are? I thought ye handfasted."

"We did, but now we wish for a big wedding. And Tevis is marrying Wenna, and Thea and Willum said they would marry along with us."

"All of ye together?"

"Aye, Lily said it would be so much fun, and I agree. Ye will join us?"

Eli kind of liked the idea. She hadn't asked Alaric about a formal wedding, but why not?

"I wish Rab was still here to marry ye, but his friend is," her grandmother said.

"I'll ask Alaric. But when will it be? He probably would want his parents and his siblings here."

"In about a fortnight, I think. They could get here by then. We already sent word to Black Isle, so I'm hoping some of them will come. The messenger will stop on Grant land on the way back. Say ye'll join yer wedding with ours."

"Alaric and I haven't talked about a wedding. But I'll think on it and see what he says."

"Good enough for now. I'm going to practice a bit more. Join us?" Ysenda asked.

"Nay, I'll stay with Grandmama." She didn't say it, but she wondered if Aunt Brigid knew how sickly her mother was. If the crew came from Black Isle, that would mean they'd have three more healers here to look at Grandmama's leg.

"Ye'd rather be here with an old woman than yer sister?" Her grandmother gave her a pointed look.

"Right now, I would. Besides, I have a question for ye. I wish to hear yer thoughts."

"I'm listening, lass."

"Alaric's family want him to be laird."

She watched her grandmother carefully, not surprised to see her brows arch in surprise, but then she tipped her head to one side. "Did he tell ye why?"

"Aunt Jennie doesnae think Els will be ready to be laird for some time. And Jamie is getting on in years. With his leg, he suggested Alaric should replace him."

"And what does Alaric say? And did Els agree?"

"Els did agree, and Alaric said he needed to think on it. They want an answer in a moon."

"And how do ye feel about being a laird's wife?"

Eli tucked her legs in so she could rest her elbows on her knees. "I'm no' sure. I think I would be all right after a while, but I am young. Gracie said she would help us, of course. And so did Jamie. And Connor, of course, will still be leading as well."

"Quade believed in passing the lairdship along so he could help Torrian. He didn't want to wait until he died. Said it would be too much pressure on Torrian. I think he's right."

"I love the Grants and the castle, but I would have to live there, not here. That troubles me."

"Ye could visit whenever ye wish."

"True, but what does a laird's wife do?"

"It doesn't take special training. It takes a special constitution, a good mind, and a big heart. Ye have all three." Her grandmother smiled at her, and Eli took her hand.

"I'm no' special."

"Ye recall the sapphire sword, lass?"

"Of course. The one John holds."

"Well, they say there is a special medal that is given to a certain lass, like the sword is given to a warrior."

"I've never heard about it."

"The faeries in the land of the Scots decide which lass has the talent to be a leader of several clans. 'Tis a legend."

"Has any lass ever been given it?"

"None that I know of. But since it's a legend, I thought I would pass it on. Because even the faeries know that women have good minds, like Avelina Menzie, and that they can lead alongside men. Some think women would make better leaders."

"Why have I never heard of this medal?"

"Because no one has seen it. Someone suggested that the woman who holds it keeps it hidden, so greedy men won't steal it. I dinnae know who saw it last, but 'tis still a legend, so we must pass the tale on. 'Tis our duty to our ancestors and to those who come after us."

"I wonder if it will be passed on in my lifetime. Tell me more about it."

"I think it takes a special person to be able to see what a land can become instead of what a land was in the past. And if it is a lass who has it, she must be special because she has to be able to stand up to men. Avelina did, but now the sword has passed on to a male, young John. It's time for the medal to be found, and 'twill be a lass who finds it."

"Found?"

"Whoever finds the medal is the one chosen by the faeries. They leave it where they know she will find it. The faeries see all and know all. Never forget that."