Highland Courage(47)
“Flan, tell me, do ye want to be a great warrior?”
“Aye, I do.”
“Do ye think Laird Matheson can help ye become one?”
“Aye,” he agreed grudgingly.
“Then ye will do what it takes to stay here and become a great warrior. Ye are Flan MacKenzie and ye won’t let some ugliness spouted by a few of the Mathesons stop ye.”
“But what about ye, Mairead? Someday I can go home. Ye have to stay here with this nasty lot.”
Home. Mairead’s heart caught at the thought of it, but she said, “I am home, Flan. I have been learning to make it work. Ye don’t need to fight my battles.”
“But Mairead—”
“No more, Flan. We can do this. I am not a mouse and neither are ye.”
He put his arms around her. “Aye, Mairead.”
She returned his hug. “Good. We will go down to supper together in a bit.”
He sniffed loudly, wiping his nose on his sleeve. “I don’t want go down for supper tonight. I don’t want anyone to see me like this.”
“Flan, ye can’t hide here. Wear your battle scars with pride. After all, ye won them defending your lady. Ye might want to wash your face and clean yourself up a bit, though.” He nodded. Before she left the chamber she said, “After supper come to my solar. I will play my harp and ye can tell me some of Da’s old stories like we used to do at Carraigile.”
After supper, Mairead spent the evening with Flan as planned. She played her harp and her recorder, allowing the music to work its magic on them, raising their spirits. Well after midnight, Mairead finally overrode Flan’s pleas for more, chivying him to bed. As she was putting the instruments away, Flan pointed to the damage on the base of the harp.
“Mairead, how did that happen?”
“I’m not sure. It must been damaged during the move,” she answered, although she didn’t quite believe it herself.
Flan knelt beside it, looking at the damage more closely. “I don’t see how this could have happened in the move.”
“Well, it did, and I’m sure it can be fixed. I think your concern over my harp is another ruse to stay up. Go on, now.” She ushered him out of the solar. “The sun will rise too quickly for both of us as it is.”
~ * ~
The following afternoon, the rushes were being changed in the great hall in preparation for Christmas. Mairead and Oren sat in the steward’s study discussing the final preparations that needed to be made for the upcoming feasts when Finola tapped at the door. “My lady, our priest, Father Keenan, has returned.”
“Splendid. Thank ye, Finola. Please ask him to wait in the great hall, and I will be right down.”
“Certainly, my lady.” Finola started to leave, and Mairead stopped her. “Finola, after ye have done that, would ye see that someone stokes the fire in my solar? ’Tis a bitter cold day and I have some work to do.”
“Aye, my lady, I’ll see to it.” Finola turned and left. When Mairead turned her attention back to Oren, his brow was furrowed. “Is something amiss?”
“Nay, my lady. We can finish these plans later. Ye go meet Father Keenan. It is good that we will have our priest back for Christmas.”
When she reached the great hall, she was surprised to see two priests waiting by one of the hearths. She approached them. “Good afternoon, Fathers. I am Lady Matheson.”
The plump and bookish priest gave a small bow. “My lady, it is a pleasure to meet ye. I am Father Keenan.” He gestured to the other priest. “I would like ye to meet Father Mungo, another priest in my order.” They exchanged pleasantries before Father Keenan said, “I am so sorry I couldn’t be here for the wedding.”
“Ye need not apologize, your family needed ye and I’m glad ye were able to go. How fares your father?”
“Alas, my lady, he passed away but I am grateful I was there. My mother is old and very frail as well. This has been quite a strain on her.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“In fact, I have asked my superiors for an assignment closer to home, so I can be nearer to her. This is why Father Mungo has joined me. He will take my place here. I returned to gather my possessions and say farewells.”
“I’m sorry we’ll be losing ye, but I’m sure it is a blessing for your mother to have ye near. Father Mungo, ye are most welcome. At least I won’t be the only new addition to Cnocreidh anymore.”
“Aye, we’ll forge our way together, my lady.” He smiled warmly.
“If ye will excuse us, my lady, I would like to show Father Mungo the chapel and the chapel garden, while there is still daylight.”