Page 18 of Once Upon a Haunted Horn and Hoof

Chapter Seven

Keithen looked around the tavern the day of the wedding, happy to see the room filled with both MacKeefes as well as MacNeils. The atmosphere seemed tense as everyone waited for the ghost of Lennox MacNeil to show. Still, Keithen decided he wouldn’t let this ruin his important day. He was about to be married to Lorna, and the lass looked bonnier today than ever.

The piper started playing, and Keithen stood next to the priest with Cam and Gavin at his side. Lorna walked up to them, holding onto her father’s arm. Dressed in the MacNeil green plaid, after today the clans would be aligned, and Lorna would wear the MacKeefe colors.

Keithen looked around the room, seeing his chieftain, Storm MacKeefe, there with his wife, Wren. Then there were the Madmen MacKeefe: Onyx, Aidan and Ian, who were some of the bravest and craziest men of the clan. Old Callum had positioned himself behind the drink board, probably guarding his precious Mountain Magic.

Yvaine and little Avianca were seated next to Lorna’s mother. There were a handful of MacNeils there, but most of the crowd was made up of MacKeefes.

Keithen leaned over and whispered to Gavin, “Where are North and Nash? I dinna see them.” North and Nash were twins and good friends of Cam and Gavin. At one time, they were considered outcasts, but had earned their way back into the clan.

“They’ll be here,” Gavin whispered back. “They’re always late, and like to make a grand entrance.”

Sure enough, just as Lorna took her place next to Keithen, the tavern door burst open, and North and Nash entered with their swords drawn.

“We’re here,” said Nash.

“And ready to protect,” added North.

The music stopped, and everyone became silent, staring at the twins.

Callum ran over and grabbed them both by the front of their tunics. “Put away the blades, ye fools. Canna ye see this is a blasted weddin’?”

“Sorry, sorry,” said both men, sheathing their swords and slinking away into the crowd.

“Let’s proceed, shall we?” asked the priest, looking back and forth nervously.

“Yes. Please,” said Keithen, hoping the ghost wouldn’t show up until after their vows were taken. “And make it fast.”

“My pleasure,” said the priest, making this the shortest wedding ever.

“Do ye, Keithen MacKeefe, take Lorna MacNeil for yer wife? And do ye, Lorna, take Keithen for yer husband?”

Keithen and Lorna looked at each other and almost laughed since it was so rushed. Then they both said “aye” at the same time, and just like that, the wedding was over.

Everyone rushed over to congratulate them, but then the sound of the bell mounted on the drink board rang out loudly.

“Callum, do ye really have to do that on our weddin’ day?” complained Keithen, covering his ears.

“It’s no’ me,” said Callum. “I didna touch the bell. It was Lennox.”

Keithen’s head snapped around, and his eyes settled on the ghost of Lennox MacNeil standing at the end of the drink board. No one said a word. Keithen was afraid people might start running if he didn’t do something fast.

“Come with me, Lorna,” he said, grabbing the hand of his new wife and hurrying over to the ghost.

“G-Grandda,” said Lorna, flashing a smile. She tried to act calm, but Keithen could feel her arm shaking.

“Callum, some Mountain Magic for Lennox please,” said Keithen. “After all, that was part of the deal.”

Callum grumbled, but made his way back to the drink board, poured a tankard of whisky, and slid it down the drink board to Keithen, who caught it.

“W-we have the tavern filled with people,” Lorna pointed out. “Just like ye wanted, Grandda.”

“Both MacKeefes and MacNeils,” Keithen added.

“Aye,” said the ghost in a booming voice. “That ye do. And now ye are married. Congratulations.”

Keithen noticed the women and little Avianca stirring. A few of them stood up. He looked back at Gavin and Cam and nodded. Gavin rushed over to guard the front door, and Cam did the same to the kitchen door as planned. They would stop anyone from leaving until the ghost was satisfied and gone forever.