Understandably, gasps rippled through the crowd.
Speaking louder still, using the strong, authoritative yet kind voice of a just ruler, Malcolm turned to the crowd, to his long-lost clan, and shared his tale. Shared it with the young who had only ever seen his portrait hanging in the castle, and with those who had been here years ago, and remembered him being cast out. Time had passed more quickly in the future, giving my sisters and me time to grow up, so he had aged more.
He spoke of my mother, Marjorie, with such awe and respect there could be no doubt he’d loved her dearly, sharing all she had sacrificed for the greater good of her clan. All she'd sacrificed in hope the dark, sinister yet powerful magic that had lain dormant inside her could be transformed into something good and lasting, and so it had.
“When Dugal died, the magic born of the pact transferred to his only living offspring.” He smiled lovingly at Marjorie. “A wee lass whose inner beast lay dormant, much like her grandmother's magic once had, until the time was right.” Hisattention returned to everyone else. “Now, instead of a witch being found amongst the MacLeods, ‘twas a witch dragon found among the Sutherlands and mayhap her fated mate among the MacLeods.” He looked fondly from Blaze to Marjorie. “Time will tell.”
He paused a moment and looked at everyone again, many in the eyes, with pride and encouragement. “So ye see, in the end, my late wife and true love, Marjorie, succeeded in creating something good and lasting for all of us. For the Sutherlands.” His voice rose so all might hear and feel his words. “And for the MacLeods, so we might finally put to rest a pact that, whilst intended for good, was at root, built on greed and power.” He shook his head. “Now ‘twill be nothing of the sort if our good king wills it.”
Malcolm fell to a knee and lowered his head to King Robert. “And so, I believe what becomes of our clan after the misdeeds of Elspet and her son Dugal should be left in our king's capable hands. What say ye, clan?”
They all fell to a knee and lowered their heads without hesitation or shifting to their dragons in defiance, each man saying, “Aye,” before the older generation who had known Malcolm when hewaslaird started calling him, “M’laird,” once again.
All fell to a knee and lowered their heads without hesitation or shifting to their dragons in defiance, each to a man saying, “Aye,” before the older generation who had known Malcolm should have become chieftain started following up with, “M’laird.”
As they did so, the younger warriors followed suit, giving Malcolm the title that had been so ruthlessly ripped from him, until the entire crowd, women and children alike, referred to him as their laird, bestowing upon him a great honor.
But the King had the final say.
King Robert observed and listened as little Marjorie shifted back, wearing the same mark on her wrist as Blaze, and they held hands, looking at him with complete trust and faith in his judgment.
Trusting him to see peace come to this land, however strange the situation.
The king wasn’t rash in his decision, either, but seemed to weigh it, or at least pretend to, because I got the sense he already knew what he wanted to do.
After a healthy pause and careful consideration, he finally stepped forward and spoke loud enough for all to hear. “Given what I have seen tonight of Malcolm Sutherland and the vast lengths he was willing to go to for his kin and clan, and now hearing ye, his people, recognize him as laird, I feel confident in my decision. Given ye are leaderless, I think he should take his rightful position as yer chieftain. One, I believe, was stolen from him by corruption, greed, and I dare say, outright evil.”
Many an “aye” arose before all went silent, and King Robert continued.
“Although I suspect I need not say it, I would like Malcolm not only to become chieftain, but all to agree his daughter, Lilias, and her wee one, Marjorie, be henceforth given the respect due them.” His gaze swept over everyone. “To that end, Lilias is to be the true mistress of this castle until Malcolm takes a bride.”
His gaze dropped to Marjorie, and he offered her the same smile he’d given her earlier when telling her she was more special than she thought. “And wee Marjorie will be treated like the gem over her dragon heart decreed. She is the true power of this clan, because her heart is pure, and I dinnae doubt she will only ever put Clan Sutherland’s and her beloved country’s needs before all others.”
When many a “here, here’s” of agreement resounded, King Robert silenced them when he continued, gesturing for Broderick to step forward and Malcolm to rise.
“Then,” he continued, his voice still strong and carrying as he looked them in the eyes as they stood before him, “I would see ye both agree to a renewed pact for all to witness, signed by us three, speaking to peace at last betwixt yer clans and the vast strength ye and yers offer at my back. AtScotland’sback.”
“Aye,” both said without hesitation, nodding at each other.
“’Twould be my pleasure, Laird MacLeod.” Malcolm held out his hand to Broderick and offered a warm smile. “Verramuch so.”
“’Twould be mine as well, Laird Sutherland.” Broderick clasped his arm, hand to elbow, in the way of the Scots and met his smile. “Verramuch so, indeed.”
“Excellent!” King Robert met their smiles before grinning at everyone else. “Then let us make our way inside out of the cold, sign a pact, and enjoy a celebratory feast I hear is going to be quite spectacular.”
Many a smile and sounds of agreement met his suggestion before Robert made a gesture for everyone to be quiet when Marjorie approached him. He crouched so she could whisper in his ear, still very much a little girl despite the day’s events.
“Och, my wee lassie,” he said softly, murmuring a prayer to the heavens before he stood and spoke again. “It has come to my attention, thanks to young Marjorie reminding me forgiveness is always best, no matter what one faces in life, that whilst not always kind, her father and grandmother deserve a proper burial. She feels it should be upon the flames as Blaze’s kin does and the Vikings of old. ‘Tis her fondest wish that their spirits drift to the Hereafter in hopes of finding the same peace we found here today amongst the living.” He nodded once with approval. “So we shall before all else.”
And so we did, thanks to a little girl’s kind heart, despite the difficulties she’d faced at the hands of those she wished to see sent to the Hereafter properly, amid prayers for safe passage. While strange in its own way, given all Dugal and Elspet had done to us MacLeods and those we love, it was surprisingly freeing as snowflakes drifted down and wiped away the darkness with a fresh layer of pure, cleansing white, and we, too, found forgiveness.
We let it all go with the sparks that drifted up, caught on the wind, and blew out to sea. With the last of their ashes as they traveled to the Hereafter, may something good come of their souls as Marjorie wished it.
Eventually, when all were ready, we headed back into Sutherland Castle.
I had thought it was going to be my prison for life, but no more. I entered hand in hand with my fated mate, Tavish MacLeod, reunited with him across time and space and most certainly the Hereafter, and history continued to unfold.
This time, a history well worth making, and that only became clearer as the evening wore on.
