Page 226 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"Malcolm!" a man in the crowd shouted. James, standing nearby, glanced at him and smiled.

"Malcolm for laird!" another yelled. Soon, the crowd had erupted in a sea of chanting. The steward struggled to keep calm, but was shouted down.

"Malcolm! Malcolm!" came the chanting. James nudged Malcolm, who was slowly looking around.

"Go on," said Ainslee, giving him a nudge. His head clearing, Malcolm pressed towards the crowd.

Now, there was a sea of chanting, men all calling his name.

"Friends... it's been a long time since I was in the clan last... an', ye must forgive me, but despite what ye may have heard, tis wasnae down to me..."

Malcolm clasped his hands on the sword. He was shaking, his emotion was palpable. As he spoke, the crowd quietened. Finally, there was calm.

Even more humbled, Malcolm felt his emotions build.

"I was taken from ye, by that man," said Malcolm, barely able to keep it together. But he did, and as he spoke, his determination grew stronger. "An' so was my father, the laird..."

A low murmur filled the hall, even the counselors were in disarray. "An' Bruce will be given a chance to answer for this," said Malcolm, quickly. "But in the meantime, I willnae leave ye leaderless..."

A huge cheer went up. Malcolm glanced at the elders. They nodded their accord.

"So then, I am asking, if ye'll have me, that I become yer laird..."

Tumultuous applause racked the hall, for a few minutes Malcolm could hear nothing but ringing in his ears. Eventually, the chief elder of the clan stepped forward.

"We call on ye, Malcolm, as oor laird," croaked the gray-haired old man. He looked at Malcolm earnestly, then he split into a grin. "An' we have been waiting to ha' ye!"

Huge cheering drowned the man out, as Malcolm gave in to a grin. He couldn't help it, he was unraveling. A few minutes passed, as the noise finally subsided. Malcolm tapped the table, and continued.

"I am humbled, an' will serve ye all as best as I can...," he stopped, and looked at Ainslee. She had been right by his side all the time. Malcolm's stomach tightened.

"But there is something more, I cannae rule alone, so I will take a wife from this very clan,"

Massive whooping followed. Malcolm squeezed Ainslee's hand, and pulled her closer.

"So then, Ainslee, I would like to ask ye, if ye would wed me..."

He looked at her, her brown eyes agape. For a moment, she blinked.

About a million thoughts rushed through Malcolm's head. He could feel his own pulse hasten.

Total silence. The packed hall became hushed and still. Then, Malcolm remembered something. Feverishly, he hunted through his things, before finding the ring.

Ainslee looked up. Out of his pocket bag he produced it - lifting it high, she showed Ainslee the posy ring. She gasped.

"Mal!"

Sliding the posy ring on, Malcolm took her hand. "Ainslee, lass, I love ye, so, will ye marry me...?"

Ainslee reached forwards, kissing him slowly.

"Malcolm, o' course I will, just dinnae take ten years aboot it this time!"

* * *

"Nae fash lad, I'll be back in time to wet the bairn's head!"

James winked, as he grabbed his sailing bag.