Page 77 of Fire in his Highland Heart

Douglas nodded. “Very much so. Blake’ll hardly be able tae contain himself at dinner,” he said with a wink.

Arguen swatted her brother’s arm. “Ye should not be so crude,” she said.

“Not crude. Just honest,” he said. “But never ye mind. I’ve brought ye a gift,” he said.

“A gift?” she asked, confused. Neither of them had ever had much money, so she wondered nervously what he had done.

“Och, dinnae look so frightened. I mean…’twas mother’s. I’m sure she would’ve wanted this, especially at her daughter’s wedding,” he explained.

The realization touched her heart, and caused a small bit of melancholy to grow inside her. Whatever Douglas was about to give her would make her feel more like her mother was there with her, and the thought made her tear up.

Douglas handed her a small wooden box in which rested a pair of fine earrings: blue, crystalline, and shaped like tear drops. “Och, Douglas. I didnae ken ye had these. I thought for sure they’d been lost,” she said tenderly.

“Nay. I managed tae filch them from her room after she died. I have a few other things of hers as well, but not much. I thought these would be appropriate for today. Obviously, they’re yers now. Mother would want ye tae have them.”

Arguen held back tears and wrapped Douglas in a hug. They held each other for a few more moments, soaking up the tender family moment, knowing they would not feel this again for a long while. “Go on. Put them on. I’ll wait outside for ye. Everythin’s ready in the great hall.”

“Thank ye, Douglas. Ye’re a good man.”

He smiled faintly, then stepped out to wait in the corridor while she put in the earrings to give her another moment alone. Arguen put them on, concentrating as she did so in front of the full length glass. When they were both in, she turned her head from side to side to admire them. They really were quite beautiful, and she was pleased to have her mother here in some tangible form. She even vaguely remembered her mother wearing them at a feast here. It was just a flash of memory--her mother’s fair hair curled on top of her head, much like Arguen’s now, her brilliant blue eyes shining, the earrings catching the light of the candles. It was a good memory, and she clung to it, wanting to bring that good energy with her to the ceremony.

Finally, she stepped out of the room and smiled at Douglas, who leaned against the stone wall, waiting for her. “Are ye ready?” she asked.

He nodded and smiled, although a bit ruefully. “I hate tae give away the only family I have now, but I ken Blake is a good man. I also ken I can beat him in a fight if he hurts ye,” he said with a wink.

“Och, no need for that. Are ye happy ‘tis Blake?” she asked.

“Of course. I dinnae thnk there’s a better man out there for ye. But ye’ll always be too good for any man,” he said with cheek.

“Oh hush. Now walk me down there and down the aisle,” she said teasingly.

He grinned and offered her his arm. She looped her hand in his elbow, and the two of them made their way down to the great hall. Before the guards opened the doors for the two of them, Arguen took a deep breath and stifled the butterflies in her stomach. She would not vomit this time--not before the ceremony. These were simply nerves.

“Are ye ready?” Douglas asked, looking at her with concern.

Arguen nodded. “Aye. As I’ll ever be.”

With that, Douglas gave a nod to the other guards, who opened the doors with a flourish. Arguen’s heart began pattering again as she saw Blake at the end of the aisle. James was acting as officiant for the handfasting, and she could see the dark blue cord slung over his shoulder until it was time. The crowd was small and intimate. Malcolm invited only those few people from the castle and the village who had shown their support and friendship to Arguen in her most trying times. The handfasting would be a simple ceremony for the two of them to pledge their love and devotion to one another before they were able to hold a bigger, more public ceremony.

Douglas walked her up the middle of the room. The long tables of the great hall had been pushed to either side of the room to create a makeshift aisle, and the people who were invited to witness their joining stood at the tables, watching her intently as she walked towards Blake and her future. She could see the looks of wonder on their faces, and she understood their feelings, marveling herself that she had finally found the love and adoration she had so often longed for.

When they reached the front of the room with James and Blake, Arguen hugged Douglas and squeezed his hand. He smiled proudly and took a seat at the end of one of the long tables.

Blake took Arguen’s hand, kissed it, and the two of them faced James.

“Ye’re so beautiful,” he whispered.

She only blushed and smiled at him. They looked lovingly at each other, as James began his speech.

“Dear friends and family,” his voice carried around the great hall, “We are gathered here this evening tae witness the love between this man an’ this woman as they pledge their lives tae one another in handfasting, promising to stay by each other’s sides, in sickness an’ health, poverty an’ wealth, until death do them part. First, we must have them exchange vows. Ye will make these promises tae each other as ye see fit,” he said, looking at each of them. Blake and Arguen nodded in understanding.

“Will ye share each other’s pain an’ seek tae ease it?” James asked.

“Aye,” Blake and Arguen answered together.

“Will ye share each other’s laughter?”

“Aye,” they both said.