With a flourish of his hand, Cailean produced a heavy parchment with the imprinted wax seal of the laird of the Cameron clan. “This is the document signed by Laird Cameron. It testifies to what I told ye about her servitude to benefit my men, the clan, and me, if ye doubt the veracity of what I tell ye. The men who were imprisoned with me are here now. My wife has great compassion and empathy for others. It is one of the things I admire about her.” Tears flowed down the cheeks of the warriors’ wives. Everyone was astonished by these revelations.
Cailean passed the documents around to those who wished to read them, and the laird’s man at arms collected them.
“Ye did yer minimum duty for yer clan,” Cailean finished. “I ask ye who would serve the Grant clan more?”
“Many people toil to produce tools, goods and services as yer wife did,” Malcom argued. “They are nae qualified to be thelaird. What ye say about yer wife is admirable. But that doesna make her the best choice to lead the clan. I am a man and a warrior. I can speak to other lairds and clans through power and might, benefiting our clan by keeping them safe. Ye have the testimony of old men. Their memories may have dimmed over the years. Ye dinna have proof that yer wife is Lady Grant.”
“My wife is nae a braggart. Many have heard this information for the first time tonight. They are as astonished as I was to learn about her sacrifices for us. Lady Grant’s character and sacrifices are worthy of being a laird. For I have learned from my father and other lairds that it takes much more than power and brawn. My wife’s heart, love, and compassion are a testament to her parents, Laird James and Lady Catherine Grant, teaching her as a wee bairn. Also, to her father in our clan who took her in and cared for her when she had been orphaned.” Many heads nodded sagely at Cailean’s words in salient defense of his wife. The elders assessed Cailean’s fierce and impassioned defense of his wife as well as his qualities and character.
Elayne stood beside her husband and clasped his hand in hers. “Thank ye, husband, for yer support and declarations to yer family and our guests. Although I do nae wish my experiences on anyone—and I recall them vividly, even at the age of five—it helped me to understand others’ concerns, problems, and challenges.
“Before arriving here, I remember the initial hazy smoke, until it became black and clawed at my throat. I coughed and coughed as it threatened to smother me in its clutches. I lost both my parents and my home that day. But out of the ashes are born new dreams.
“I arrived here and my papa, William Robertson the blacksmith, took me in and cared for me. More than shelteringand feeding me, he taught me a valuable trade that benefits our clan every day. He soothed my pain and loved me, and Mrs. Logan became a mother to me and taught me to cook, garden, and sew.
“I learned from the examples of William, Mrs. Logan, the laird and his family, their beloved cook Bessie, and many others.” Her heartfelt pronouncement brought tears to the eyes of her father and Mrs. Logan and others.
“Most of all, I learned from my beloved friend and husband. Cailean taught me sword fighting skills and opened up the world to me by educating me about hunting and fishing, war strategies, and astronomy. When he loaned me his books to read, I gained wisdom about what it takes to be a strong and beloved leader and selflessly serve the clan.
“But even if I had none of these qualities and skills, I am my father’s daughter. By a line of succession, I am born to lead.” Elayne reached to her neck to pull out a long chain that hung below her clothes, and removed the chain over her head. In her hand, she showed the large ring she held.
“As the smoke threatened to engulf us before the flames, I remember my mother hugging me and kissing me. She took this chain and placed it securely around my neck before she told me to hide in a cupboard, where the housekeeper discovered me. ‘I love ye and yer father loves ye, Elayne. Be strong and ken ye will always carry our love with ye.’ Escaping the flames and choking smoke, I arrived here with others from my clan.
“As a bairn, I could not help my clan. But thanks to all of ye, I now can. I intend to work hard to help my clan and family. My papa kept this chain and ring safe for many years until my last birthday. Since nae one kens why we were attacked, my fatherfeared for my life if it had been made known I am Laird Grant’s daughter.
“Only recently, I realized the significance of this ring. It is my father’s ring, the signet ring of Laird Grant.” Elayne proudly handed it to Cailean, who was as surprised as everyone else, except for William. The blacksmith had fiercely guarded his dau-ghter all these years. Cailean studied the ring, nodded, and showed it to the elders and the cousin who had demanded proof. Together, Cailean and Elayne had presented undeniable proof of her identity. Malcom blanched when he realized his folly, never imagining any proof existed to support her claims. Cailean paraded the ring around the hall to everyone assembled before returning to his wife’s side.
Laird MacPherson spoke up. “Lady Grant, my family and I as well as my clan are exceedingly beholden to ye by yer noble and brave actions. We are grateful for yer many sacrifices on our behalf. We are proud to have ye wed to our son and be part of our family. Yer formidable courage, bravery, and skills are amazing. I ken ye will make a great laird for the Grant clan.”
“Thank ye,” Elayne said.
“I echo the sentiments of my daughter-in-law. Lady Elayne Grant has shown ye proof of her claim and showed her bravery and sacrifices for the clan. It takes more than muscles and a sword to lead. The elders have already determined who will be laird of the Grant clan. Ye have no further challenges to make. If ye have such a profound love of yer clan, ye must swear fealty to yer laird here today or be banished.”
Fearing the immediate and costly consequences of his actions, Malcom Roy knelt before Elayne and swore fealty to her in front of all the many witnesses. Caught in his own trap,he stood, bowed, and left the castle to ride home from Clan MacPherson. But Malcom wasn’t done scheming.
The elders stood and said, “We are most grateful to ye, Lady Grant. Ye have agreed take responsibility as laird for our clan. We ken our clan and lands are in excellent hands with ye. We look forward to ye being with us soon. Thank ye, Laird and Lady MacPherson, yer family, and clan for yer hospitality and wisdom. We count ye as our allies.”
The dinner ended, and everyone who planned to leave the following day said their farewells. Cailean and his bride spoke to his family and his guards and their wives. They all expressed their deep gratitude to Elayne for freeing the men held captive and their admiration of her actions.
After retrieving the documents, Cailean placed the necklace around the neck of the woman he loved and respected. They returned to their chambers.
In the next weeks, the days followed a recurring pattern. Cailean would train with the warriors, meet with the laird and his advisors, and he would escort Elayne to the castle to prepare for dinner together. Cailean was eager to see Elayne each day at the forge. At dinner, they discussed the events of the day and what they had accomplished.
Elayne and Thomas made many lanterns, trophy dirks for the summer games, and a couple of iron wheels that held candle sconces whose height could be adjusted. Elayne had also embroidered two pillowcases to take to their new home. Cailean, in his little free time, supervised the creation of barrels wrapped in iron bands with lids to hold grain, or one day whiskey, after it had finally been distilled.
Cailean admired the dirks’ craftsmanship. “These dirks ye made as trophies for the games will be in high demand and ye should fetch handsome prices for them. We sent back a dozen sealed barrels with yer elders and guards that held oats, barley, and other grains. My father sent a barrel of his whiskey as a gift since we are now pledged as allies. This will help to make our wagons lighter for our journey in a month.”
Later in the week, before the summer fair began, Cailean and Elayne strolled under summer skies with balmy breezes. He held her hand and asked about her feelings regarding leaving the MacPherson clan and assuming their new duties. “Are ye nervous or do ye have any fears?”
“With ye by my side and with yer love and support, I ken we can overcome any challenge together, nae matter what we face. It will take time to rebuild the castle. Longer still to expand the production of grains and livestock. I will pray for patience since ye ken I am a person of action and canna sit idly by.”
“I ken, my love, and I will be beside ye to help advise ye and counsel ye when ye want it, and support ye every day.”
Chapter Sixteen
Summer Fair and Grant Clan
The summer fair finally arrived, and the clan was excited to host the games and the market. Thanks to Cailean’s work the previous year, more clans were expected to take part, and the market had enlarged. Elayne and Thomas raced to finish the last of the trophy dirks. Elayne had crafted a masterful sword and hoped the laird would once again pick her sword to award to one of the champions. William and Thomas had crafted swords too. But Elayne’s had been embellished with intricate designs.
