As he crept forward, Loki’s gaze searched for Celestina. Smiling at him, she nodded in encouragement.
Alex smirked when the lad stopped halfway across the room, staring at the Grant warriors in their plaids, unsure of where he was to go. “Closer, lad.”
Once he had passed through the crowd, a group of Grant warriors gathered in a semi-circle behind him. Loki stood in front of Alex, his wee legs trembling.
Celestina’s heart broke. Loki looked so lost standing in the middle of all those brawny warriors, especially since he was directly in front of the massive Laird Alex Grant. She worried the poor lad’s neck would be sore from looking up at the tall Highlander. She had begged Brodie to allow her to stand next to him in support, but Brodie had refused.
Alex cleared his throat and began, his hands clasped behind his back. “Lucky Loki, do you understand the important code of the Grants, our values of both honor and truthfulness?”
A wee voice squeaked out just loud enough, “Aye, my laird.”
“Lad, I have several questions to ask you and I only need you to answer ‘aye’ or ‘nay.’ Can you do that, son?”
Loki nodded.
“Is it true you snuck under a cart and rode in a hidden spot to follow Celestina?”
Loki, confused, glanced at Brodie before he answered. “Aye, my laird.”
“Is it also true you caused pain to a servant of a nobleman by placing stones in his shoes without his knowledge?”
Loki’s eyes widened. “Aye, my laird, but I was just trying…”
“Aye or nay, lad?” Alex barked.
He hung his head before answering, “Aye, my laird.”
The laird continued. “Is it also true you ran from my brother’s side and followed a cart out of town to find Celestina, without advising anyone of your destination?”
Loki’s frantic gaze darted around the room, searching for support. “But, my laird, Celestina…”
“Aye or nay?” Alex’s voice boomed through the hall.
“Aye, my laird,” he said in a small voice.
Celestina couldn’t take it any longer. She started toward the lad, just to let him know he was not alone, but her husband pulled her back and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Trust our laird,leannan.”
Celestina swiped at the tears in her eyes, leaning into her husband’s embrace, but not before she noticed that Maddie, sitting by Alex’s side in front of the dais, had a linen square at her face and was mopping up tears as well. She and Maddie were definitely kindred spirits.
Staring over Loki’s wee head, Alex continued. “Is it true you went to the MacLaren keep by yourself, again without notifying anyone of your destination, just to let Celestina know her husband was injured?”
Loki’s shoulders slumped, and he hung his head in shame. “Aye, my laird.”
Alex’s voice softened, “Is it no’ also true, lad, that you stood proud and protected the Scots by using your slinger against the invaders?”
Lifting his gaze to meet Alex’s, the boy said, “Aye, my laird.”
“Is it true that after my wounded brother passed out from battle you managed to get him to the healer immediately?”
“Aye, my laird.” His voice was now strong enough to be heard across the hall.
Alex smiled. “And did you no’ use your sling to protect my sister-in-law, Celestina Grant, against a group of Norsemen in Lennox?”
The lad nodded his head, sniffling as he stared at Alex. “Aye, my laird.”
Alex stepped down from the dais, grasped Loki’s shoulders and said, “Well done, lad. You make me verra proud.” Then he nodded to Brodie and Celestina, and they came to stand in front of Loki.
