Chapter Twenty-Four
–Tavish–
TO SAY MY DAY ended up perfect and my future looked bright was an understatement. Word had it, Ellie’s elm tree had vanished from out front and finally taken its rightful place beside her sisters’ trees at MacLeod Castle, so there could be no doubt she was officially mine. Not that I ever doubted that fact. She had always been mine, but knowing we had a future together and she wouldn’t suffer at Dugal’s hands made me deliriously happy.
I kept Ellie close as we headed into Sutherland Castle after giving our enemies Dugal and Elspet the burial and send-off wee Marjorie had requested, and my brother, Broderick, and Laird Malcolm Sutherland finally made history.
A new pact was drawn up, for all to witness, agreeing the stipulations of the old pact had been met and the Sutherlands and MacLeods were entering into a new time of peace, signed by not just the two chieftains but the King of Scotland himself.
There were no words to describe how joyous I felt after the pact was signed and sealed by King Robert, and we spent the better part of the evening celebrating amongst the clan, and getting to know its people, who were clearly oppressed under Dugal and Elspet’s rule. Celebrated as Lilias and Ellie reunited with their father, and Marjorie got to spend time with hergrandfather for all to see, as he adored and doted on the wee lassie with Blaze by her side, ever her faithful companion.
All the while, I felt our kin back at MacLeod castle close to us telepathically, as I kept Ellie in my arms every chance I got, whether spending time amongst the Sutherland’s eating and talking, or when dancing, as there was a great deal of that, too.
Eventually, Malcolm requested that King Robert and we MacLeods join him in the Sutherland’s private dining chamber so we might enjoy a sweet and a nightcap. Kenneth MacLomain, who had been faithfully keeping us abreast of goings-on at Sutherland Castle, sent word that he had left earlier and would meet us at MacLeod Castle the following day.
“I cannae thank ye enough for staying on to celebrate, my King,” Malcolm said from where he sat at the head of the table opposite Robert. “For being so kind to my daughters throughout this whole ordeal. And for standing by the MacLeods.”
“No need to thank me, Laird Sutherland.” He smiled at those in attendance, including Lilias. Not Marjorie, though. She had gone to bed after Blaze left with Kenneth to return to MacLeod Castle. “They are all good people.”
“Even so.” Malcolm stood and arched his eyebrows in question. “If ye wouldnae mind witnessing a wee bit more magic this eve, there is something I would like to gift ye on behalf of both the Sutherlands and MacLeods?”
“Och.” Robert grinned and shrugged. “After witnessing everything I did this eve, what’s a wee bit more magic going to hurt?”
“Indeed.” Malcolm smiled in agreement and went to the portraits of the four trees hanging side by side. “My late wife, Marjorie, encouraged me to paint these when she foresaw the pact igniting to help tether my daughters to their MacLeod fated mates, effectively tethering the two castles together.”
His dragon eyes flared as he chanted and pulled forth what appeared to be four flaming balls of fire from the paintings. They spun together in his palm until they morphed into an impressive, sheathed dagger, with both the MacLeod and Sutherland clan mottos carved into it.
He handed it, hilt first, to Robert. “This is for ye, my King. ‘Twill tether ye to both clans should ye ever need us. All ye need to do is hold the blade, and tell us either within yer mind or aloud, that ye need us and we will come.” He shook his head. “There will be no need to send a messenger.”
“Thank ye, Laird Sutherland.” He nodded at Broderick as well. “And Laird MacLeod. ‘Tis generous and most appreciated.” Wrapping his hand around the hilt, he took it and tested the weight, clearly impressed as he unsheathed it, his eyes widening in approval. “’Tis well-madeindeed.”
“’Twas forged in dragon fire from both clans,” Malcolm divulged, returning to his seat. “Clans that will always be there for ye and our country in times of need.”
“And what will happen if I have no choice but to fight with it?” Robert wondered, smart to ask given the blade’s power.
“’Twill be as any blade,” Malcolm assured. “Yet ‘twill let us know yer battling without ye saying a thing.”
Robert nodded, clearly pleased by the gift as he secured the blade at his side. “And what of that impressive blade that ended Elspet? ‘Twas this Viking blade I keep hearing about, aye?”
“Aye,” Malcolm confirmed, sipping his ale. “’Tis with Blaze and the MacLeods until the bearer of the blade decides where it goes next.”
“The wee wolf pup, then?” Robert’s eyebrows swept up. “And how will he know?”
“I couldnae say because the blade is born of Viking gods, designed to help those who wield it,” Malcolm explained. “It began its journey in tenth-century Norway, bringing fated matestogether across time to conquer evil, then moved on to the Wolves of Ossary in ancient Ireland, then to us, and now ‘twill undoubtedly travel on. ‘Tis verra much a time traveling blade.”
“Aye,” Broderick agreed. “And thus far, whoever wields it travels with it, destined to someday unite with his fated mate.”
“Yet ‘tis assumed wee Marjorie is Blaze’s fated mate, aye?” the king reminded. “And she’s right here.”
“At least for now,” Malcolm said softly, seeming to sense where Fate might take her. “But something tells me her journey through life willnae keep her within these walls all that often. Mayhap someday, but she has her own destiny and adventures ahead, and mayhap some time traveling as well.”
“First, however,” Sloan said, grinning at me and Ellie, “it sounds like she may be attending yet another wedding tomorrow at MacLeod Castle?”
King Robert smiled at us. “Aye?”
“Aye,” I confirmed, wrapping my fingers with Ellie’s, smiling at her before turning back to King Robert. “’Twill be beneath our elm tree, whatever the weather may be. Would ye like to join us, my King, before I head to the border with ye and Sloan?”
“I verra much would, but ‘tis best I get back to the border sooner rather than later,” he said. “I have been away too much of late, yet I willnae need ye and Sloan just yet, so enjoy time with yer kin for now.” He winked at us. “Summoning ye to this castle was just an excuse to get more MacLeods here, especially ye, Tavish.” He looked at Broderick. “Mayhap, when things settle down, I can pay another visit to MacLeod Castle? I hear ye have especially fine fare these days with Hazel about, and soon enough there will be plenty of wee bairns running around.”
