"Well... it's been a while since I've called upon the elders." Caillen started with a shaky voice. Gawain wished he could understand what was going on in his brother's head. Perhaps he could if Caillen would talk to him as a brother like they used to.
"Aye, milord. It is quite strange that ye’ve...him here with us." The first elder, DeWayne was his name, if he could remember properly. "When I heard that ye had permitted Gawain to come back to the clan, I was shocked since yer father already gave the command to execute him on sight, was it nae?"
"Nae, me father said nothing of the sort. I brought Gawain back to the clan because I wanted...nae, I needed me brother by me side to rule the clan. There are many clans that are ruled by siblings. I’ve me faults, and I’ve taken notice that Gawain can support me where I’m lacking. I’ve nae had the time to step into village fer a while now, but I’ve gotten a few complaints. I’ve matters with other clans to deal with, and Hector is busy with the guards and the castle. So, I've decided to have Gawain keep an eye on the village fer me as me left hand man."
"That doesnae seem right. If ye need someone to supervise the village, there are plenty of people to choose from. Going all the way to choose a man who betrayed the clan simply because he’s yer brother, this is—"
"This is me father's clan and he has passed it on to me, elder Frazer. The family of the first Laird should still be in power unless we have been overthrown. I’m in power, and this is me decision."
Another elder spoke up," True milord but try to understand that the clan might not be so keen about the idea."
"If they will appreciate someone they ken, Hector," Hector perked up at his name. “Will ye be willing to step down fer Gawain and watch over the village instead?"
"If it is fer the betterment of the clan, I’ll, milord."
"Nae, this makes absolutely nae sense! Gawain cannae be in a leadership position. People are afraid of him and will nae cooperate." Elder DeWayne was supported by the rest of the elders. Gawain had never known them to be this against the Laird. They knew he could do a better job than Hector at both positions. When his father was alive, and even before Caillen left the clan, Gawain was the right-hand man. Only when the right hand was needed did the old Laird ever pay full attention to his youngest son. Gawain never did blame the elders for what they saw and thought of him after all, they only acted the same way his father acted with him.
"If I may cut into this commotion, milord." Gawain spoke up. He had a chance this time around. With his father, he sat and took everything they had to say. When they told him to be Laird, he did it. When they told him to be the right-hand man, he did it. When he didn't do what they wanted, he was cast out. But he's learnt, he's grown, he knew what they wanted, and he wasn't going to go back to being controlled. "Elders, I understand yer argument. Up to a point, I agreed with ye. Nae one will follow a leader they do not trust, but I assure you that I can earn the trust of the clan. I ken what to do to ease meself back into the clan with no problems. Things will get better, I promise ye this, but it all falls to if ye will allow me do me job? With the lot of ye against me, ye can easily start an uproar amongst the clansmen and ruin all of me hard work. I’ve to be assured that ye will nae meddle with me affairs, and ye will nae even realize I'm in the clan."
"We will only add our opinion where we feel it is needed. If ye do a good job, we’ll not need to be in yer matter."
Gawain smiled as he wagged a finger at the elder. “Ah nae, Elder DeWayne. Ye ken this is nae true. With yer argument, it is clear that none of ye want me in the clan, and ‘tis obvious that ye would want me to fail so I can be sent away once again. So, I’m pleading with ye, from now until our bairn is born, why don't ye watch what I'll do to the village. If ‘tis nae good enough, I shall pack me bags and be off me merry way."
"Ye ken the laird will nae allow ye leave, so why make such a stake?" The elder narrowed his eyes at him before resting back in his chair. “The clan is milord's, and we are only old people who await the grave. We do nae have much of a say as we used to. If it pleases milord, then I agree." Caillen raised a brow at the quick submission. Both brothers expected more from the oldest elder, this response only had them at the edge of their seats.
"Really, elder? Ye have nae other arguments?" Caillen got to his feet as he spoke. "Nae opposition? Nae grudges? Nae screaming? Nothing?"
The elder shrugged, throwing his head to the side. "Nae. I’ve nothing to say. ‘Tis yer clan, milord. Who am I to make decisions?"
"I see. And what about the other elders?" Caillen asked, and each one gave a mumble of acceptance or something of the sort. "Let me ask again. Is everyone in support of Gawain becoming me left hand in the clan?" A series of 'aye' rang out in the room, and the laird's face broke out in a smile. "It is settled then. Gawain is to be me left hand from now henceforth."
Chapter Nine
The elders trooped out, their dissatisfaction showing plainly on their faces. Gawain stood behind Caillen, hands pressed down on his brother's shoulders which earned him a glance from the older man. "Is there a problem?"
"Perhaps there might be. I’m nae sure meself." Both brothers directed their gaze toward Hector, who gave a quick bow before joining the small crowd of elders. Gawain slid into the seat next to his brother's just as the door closed shut, his fingers drummed against the hard work of the table. "… this left-hand position, I thank ye. I made a mistake once, and I betrayed the clan even, but ye’ve given me a chance to prove meself to them. ‘Tis a lot to do fer a man like me."
The lamps cast a soft golden glow on the brothers as Caillen reached out to take his brother's hand. “I’ve a feeling that ye would have done the same fer me."
"Would I really have?" Gawain chuckled.
Caillen shot him a knowing look and returned his smile. Outside, the last galloping sounds of the elder’s horses faded into the distance. Gawain rested back into his chair. His return had been worse than he expected, especially with Caillen’s latest announcement. But, in all, he was truly grateful that he was home and accepted.
For the first time since he set his foot in his homeland, he felt safe and grounded. Inside him, he praised his brother, and he felt grateful for Davinia. Without them, he would have left the keep by now. His new role gave him a way to be useful to the people he always loved, although he knew they wouldn’t accept him. He, of all people, knew how traitors were treated.
He raised his hanging head to look at his brother, who had also settled into the silence. No other person could have convinced him to return home. He owed him everything, and he owed his clan at least an attempt to regain their trust, especially now that it was his duty to manage them.
“What are ye thinking” Gawain kicked his brother’s feet under the wooden table.
Caillen sat up. “Ye and I…” He met Gawain’s curious gaze. “I hope I’m nae making a mistake by inviting ye back. The people look up to me, and now they all think that I’m out of me mind for not just bringing back someone who betrayed them, but also making him me left hand.”
Gawain knew exactly how his brother felt. He would not trust him either, even after so many years. After all, only he could know his heart.
Caillen continued after drawing a deep breath, “I hope putting ye in power protects ye from those who would seek to remove ye from the clan. I’m hopeful that you’ve changed and that ye won’t disappoint me and make a fool out of me gestures. But I ken for certain that our people will not see ye as anything less than a traitor.”
“I ken our people are stubborn, but I can’t keep avoiding them, especially when I can help.” Gawain remembered something he noticed upon his arrival. “Speaking of helping, there is something I want to call yer attention to." Caillen nodded in reply, bringing himself to sit on the edge of the chair. "The guards scattered all over the village, are they being monitored?"
"Why?"
