20
TARTANS UNTANGLED
It seemed odd to celebrate when their victory hadn't been complete, but Seamus had insisted.
“I will nae allow Campbell to continue to stop us from living our lives. What we have accomplished here today is worthy of a feast, so a feast we will have.”
His proclamation sent people all over the castle. Some gathered wine and whiskey from the cellars, while others scrounged up whatever food could be found. A handful offered to cook fresh meat and season it well, while the healers worked to get everyone they could well enough to join in the festivities. Before long, a six-person band started in the corner, complete with a flute and violin and a handful of other instruments that added so much color to the feast. Those of the men who were unwounded pulled tables into position and collected chairs from anywhere they could be found, not stopping until there was a seat for everyone.
Flora stood in the same spot she had been in since she and Seamus had come down from the tower several hours previous and admired the view. Children ran in between the adults working, and a few younger couples were already dancing in what little open space was left. There was a bittersweet tang tothe atmosphere, but she was pleased to see that everyone was more focused on the sweet side of things.
More than anything, she was pleased that Seamus had managed to regain his resolve. Today had taken a great toll on him, one that she doubted he would ever fully convey. Between Campbell having made his escape and the rebels turning against him, she doubted that he would ever recover. But then Finn, of all people, stepped up and saved it all.
Brid had rushed to his side once the room started to move. The two of them became so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice the rest of the room. When Connor managed to pull her away, Finn looked over at Flora sheepishly. She sent him a smile that was warm enough that he made his way to her.
“I suppose ye hate me, after all of this.”
He barely got the words out before Flora flew her arms around Finn's shoulders and squeezed tight. Finn didn't move for a moment, clearly caught off guard by her response. She just held him that much tighter until he returned the gesture.
“I have missed ye so much, Finn,” she whispered, surprised at the wetness in her eyes. “I have missed my friend.”
Lost for words, he said nothing as he held her close.
“Get out of the way! We are workin' here!”
Errik's bellow forced Flora and Finn apart. They looked up to find that Errik was on a ladder being pushed around by four other rebels, his sword out and swinging towards the Campbell tartans hanging from the rafters. He swung again and the first one fell. The room cheered in response as the heavy fabric fell to the floor. A third swing and the second tartan fell, resulting in the same reaction from the hall. On and on, Errik went until all traces of Campbell were removed.
A handful of boys gathered the fallen tartans and drug them to the front of the castle, positioning them so that anyone whocame into the castle would have to walk over them first. The thought made Flora smirk.
It didn't take long for the makeshift rugs to get so covered in mud and muck that the Campbell colors couldn't be seen anymore. People from Murray Village and the surrounding villages filtered in and out of the castle for the next few hours. Each one wanted their turn to shake Seamus' hand, to thank him. Some even asked to join Seamus' army, looking for the chance to get even with Campbell now that they thought it truly possible.
“Come, stand beside me,” Seamus asked, whispering his request in her ear.
Finn didn't seem put out at all as Seamus pulled her from his side. Still, she shot him a smile that was full of hope that soon, they might be able to resume their friendship.
“What is going on?” she whispered back to Seamus.
He all but drugged her to the dais and positioned her to stand next to him. Before he could answer, the next group of villagers came to the front to shake Seamus' hand. Judging from their similar features, Flora guessed that they were all family. A middle-aged mother with the slightest hints of gray framing her face plowed forward leaving her husband, a ruddy faced, thin man, two girls and two boys, all under their second decade, all the perfect mix of their parents, to follow her.
“We wanted to come as soon as we heard the news,” a frazzled old woman told him.
She stretched out her hand and took Seamus', shaking it over and over, moving his entire body with her enthusiasm.
“We were avid supporters of yer father, ye ken. And it is just so sad that he could nae be here today to see yer victory. We have long since waited for this day. I told me husband, I said, ‘we must keep an eye on that red-haired lad, he will be our Laird one day.’ Did I nae say that Angus? That is what I said.”
Flora bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing at the well-intentioned woman. Her husband's cheeks were red with embarrassment. He sent them both an apologetic look over his wife's shoulder, clearly used to having to make apologies for her ability to have an entire conversation without need of another person.
“And look at ye now, all grown and making things right again. I feel so proud, as if ye were my own boy. I told Angus that this would happen and now that it has, I can hardly believe it myself.”
The woman stopped to take a breath for the first time since they approached the dais, and Seamus took the opportunity to cut in.
“I thank ye for making the journey to come see us. Allow me to introduce my wife…”
Flora didn't hear the rest of what Seamus said.
A polite, warm smile plastered itself to her face while her mind whirled in delight. He had called her his wife. Though they had both known that was her title for several weeks now, they hadn't told anyone yet. It seemed strange yet entirely fitting that the first people to know that they were married were strangers from Murray Village, coming to congratulate them on their victory against Campbell. The longer she thought about it, the more her smile spread. Her cheeks turned a warm shade of pink, catching Seamus' eye. He sent her a cheeky smile of his own before turning back to the conversation he was having.
She didn't catch another word the woman said, even as she grabbed Flora for a tight hug. Flora merely returned the gesture in a daze. When they finally stepped away, Flora turned to Seamus with doe eyes, filled with surprise.
