Page 67 of Tempting the Highland Captive

As predicted, there was much hesitation among both clans about coming together. Though both people were legally bound tae Ron as their laird, it did not assuage the discontent of long time held hostilities. The Rossell family had burned their mark of hatred into their people. Their violence toward their enemies had a similar effect such as with the Clan McAlpine. It was not going to be easy to overcome such entrenched ways of thinking. Liam’s conversations with the Clan Rossell had showed just how deep the hostilities lay. Primary among their concerns was the fear that the Clan McAlpine would demand their lands back, leaving the Rossell people homeless and wandering once more. When Liam brought these concerns to Ron, Ron knew that he would need to hold an official meeting with his wife before he could reassure them that such a thing was not going to happen.

Summoning a stable boy, he penned a letter to Amelia about his people’s concerns. He knew that they were well founded as he had heard more than once among the Clan McAlpine a similar sentiment toward regaining their old lands. Father Jacob himself had voiced the thought more than once in conversation as his own family had been so adversely affected. Without a doubt, it was not a question that Ron could answer without first discussing it with his wife, the true lairdess of the Clan McAlpine regardless of the law of the land giving him all the power of laird.

In his letter, he laid out his concerns but did not request a meeting as he did not want Amelia to put herself in harm’s way by leaving the castle. They had been unable to ascertain if anything that Ysenda had said was true, or if she was working alone. Until the time came that he could be certain she was safe, he preferred his wife to remain where Lucas and Angus could keep her the safest. Conversely. He could not leave the Rossell people to fend for themselves just yet. There was still so much to do and everyday a new form of unrest was exposed that needed to be dealt with. He had barely slept since coming to take his father’s place as leader there had been so much to do to prepare for the transition of joining clans.

“My laird,” the stable boy’s voice announced his arrival.

Ron nodded in acknowledgement, put the last finishing touches on his letter, and sent it off to his wife with a prayer. May God be with ye, wife, as ye attempt tae convince the elders o’ our worthy cause.

* * *

Amelia stood before the clan’s elders, Ron’s letter in hand, and waited for the uproar to die down. She was not going to attempt to talk over them. There was much to be said and it was best if they got all their anger out in one quick burst than to let them stew in it and plot against her later. Lucas and Angus stood on either side of her, flanking her like unmovable giants. Amelia would have let the arguing go on for as long as it took to subside, but when their slurs turned toward their lairdess, Lucas had had enough. Stepping forward he took a battle ax from the wall and brought it down with a resounding thud into the middle of the table. The blade sank into the wood silencing all in attendance.

“Enough,” he commanded with a growl of such menace that several of the elders shrank back. Lucas stepped back to stand beside Amelia. “My lady,” he bowed his head in deference.

Amelia stepped forward and addressed her elders with authority. “I understand how ye all feel about such a question. It has long burned within all o’ our hearts tae regain what was once lost tae us. I stand here today tae tell ye that we have indeed gained the very thing for which we have so longed.”

“At the cost o’ sharing it with the Rossell scum,” the mariner spat in disgust.

“Would ye displace an entire people for the sins o’ their leader?”

“Aye,” more than one elder grunted.

Amelia looked at the men before her with sad eyes. “The McAlpine and Rossell peoples are now and forever joined under the rule and protection of the same laird, our laird, my husband. There is nae turning back from this course. Whether we will join is nae a question, it is already done. Whether we act with charity or cruelty toward our neighbor, that is a decision that each person will need tae make for themselves. It is the laird’s hope that we will be able tae look past our differences tae come together and make a stronger clan. My husband is proposing that our lands nae longer be separate, but once more whole. The only way that this will come tae pass, however, is with our agreement nae tae drive the Rossell people from the land.”

“So, ye are saying that unless we bow down tae the laird’s desire tae join our people, that the lands o’ our ancestors will forever be lost tae us.”

“Nae, that is nae what I said. Our people and lands are already legally one under our laird. My husband and I are simply asking for your cooperation in achieving a truer unity. Rossells would be able to live on McAlpine lands and McAlpines would be able tae live on Rossell lands, but only with the guarantee that such a transition would occur without violence and without the removal o’ our neighbors by force. Under this peace, all would be as one clan protecting and caring for one another.” A rustle of discontent passed over the group. It was clear that they had believed the clans would at the very least remain separate, if not have the Rossell people removed entirely. “I have invited the Rossell people tae join us for a meal in honor o’ our new relationship. I would ask that we have this matter settled be our clans meet so that any animosity concerning future violence can be laid tae rest. The Rossell people would like the assurance of the McAlpine elders as heads of yer own extensive families, that they will nae be displaced by force.”

“We owe them nothing!”

“And yer laird? What do ye owe him?” Amelia asked, holding their eyes with a challenge of her own.

The elders fell silent. By the laws of the land a laird had all authority where it came to his lands and the people upon them. Amelia knew that she risked rebellion, or even further attempts upon she and Ron’s lives, but she was determined to make her marriage and their new lives work. She would create a peaceful sanctuary for their child if it was the last thing that she ever did. It was a marvel to that not so long ago she had been just as determined to rule her people without the influence of a man to answer to. She had not known then that she would find a man who would support her not usurp her authority. Ron was a rarity among men, and she would do her very best to support him in return.

“The laird is supposed to protect and provide for his clan. How does the joining o’ our clans do that?” the mariner summoned the rebellious courage to demand an answer.

“Joining the clans means that we have one less enemy in this world. It means we have a safer border. It means that we have more warriors tae protect us and more farmers tae grow food. It means we have more o’ everything that we need to survive and less difficulty in doing so.”

A shift among those gathered rippled from man to man. They had only been able to see the hatred in their hearts against the joining, not the advantages of having quelled their enemy without further violence. The eldest among them raised his hand to silence the others. “What guarantees do we have that the Rossells will honor the peace and do their part to provide for the clan as a whole?”

“Ye have the word o’ yer laird and lady.”

“And mine.” Lucas stepped forward to offer his guarantee. “If they break the peace, I will break them.”

The elders nodded in approval of the threat.

Up to this point, Father Jacob had remained silent a war of many emotions playing out behind his eyes. “And what if our side should break the peace?” he asked quietly.

Amelia’s heart went out to the priest, but she stood firm. “Then they will also be punished.”

“It is clear that the laird desires a peace, but I fear that the price o’ this peace will be more than ye are willing tae pay, my lady,” the eldest among them spoke once more. “I can only speak for myself, but I will do all I can tae see that it will nae be my family who breaks it.”

Others among the group swore the same, but not all. Amelia knew that she had been asking too much to get all of them to agree, but if enough of them held to their word, then they could hold the others accountable. “I will send word tae my husband. We depend upon each o’ ye tae keep the peace.”

Seeing that further argument would do them no good, the elders shuffled out of the hall and back to their homes to inform their families. “Nae all will do as ye have asked,” Father Jacob stated solemnly, his usual manner subdued by the pain of losses past. “But as for me and my house, we will serve the laird and lady.” The priest bowed then turned and left the hall.

Amelia turned to Angus and nodded her permission for him to follow his brother. “My lady,” he bowed, then left the hall as well.

Amelia stood in the hall alone with Lucas. She turned to the man who had protected her all her life and met his eyes. “When Faither Jacob has reservations, I begin tae doubt a great many things.”

Lucas stepped forward, laying his hands on the upper parts of her arms. “As William Shakespeare once wrote, ‘The course of true love never did run smooth’.” He smiled down at her, a fatherly light of caring in his eyes. “Had ye asked me a year ago if such a thing was possible as what ye proposed this day, I would have told ye a thousand times nae, but the love that ye and yer husband share for each other and for yer people has taught me otherwise. There will be difficulties in taking this path, but I am with ye every step o’ the way.” He released her taking a step back. “Write ta eyer husband and tell him we are willing.”

“Thank ye, my loyal friend,” Amelia reached out to grasp his arm in gratitude, then ran up the stairs to inform her husband of the good news.