Page 104 of The Guardian's Bride
Epilogue
Scotland, Kincraig Castle
September, 1307
“With Edward Longshanksgathered to God on the seventh of July,” Aedan said to those seated or standing about in Kincraig’s great hall, “it is true we can breathe a bit, if just for a short time.”
Standing beside her new husband, Rowena looked up. “We do have cause to celebrate now that his son Edward, now king, has left Scotland, taking his army with him.”
“Some of his army. He left his English lieutenants in place, and his knights and soldiers still garrison our captured Scottish castles. He will be back,” Aedan replied.
Henry approached, goblet in hand, to stand with them near the hearth, where a crackling fire radiated warmth and light on an evening gone chilly with autumn. “The younger Edward has gone south to see to his father’s burial in Westminster, and to meet with his advisors to discuss the troublesome matter of Scotland. He promised his father to gain absolute dominion in Scotland. Whether he will keep that promise remains to be seen.”
“We will be ready, but I doubt this Edward is up to the task,” said Sir Liam Seton, husband of Rowena’s sister Tamsin. Beside him, Tamsin sat content and beautiful as she held their newborn son bundled snug in her arms. Just six weeks old, his tender tuft of pale golden hair matched his mother’s. Rowena longed tohold him again before Tamsin and Liam departed for Dalrinnie Castle.
“Edward will be back, but Scotland will prevail,” Tamsin said quietly. “But it will take a few years. I have seen it.” Her shy smile was almost apologetic. “I believe so.”
“And I believe you,” Liam said quietly, dark-haired and serious as he watched his wife, his gaze soft with love. Rowena sighed, seeing that, so happy that her sister was content at last. Tamsin had inherited the Rhymer’s visionary gift, and had begun to understand it. If she said Scotland would endure, her words carried truth.
Glancing around the room as the others talked, Rowena felt content, too. Married recently, now a wife and stepmother, she wished her family could be together whenever they pleased. She knew that tonight’s gathering would be rare as long as there was strife in Scotland. She was grateful to be home after the events of the past months. She was grateful her siblings were here too: Henry, as lord of Kincraig in residence for a short time before his duties took him elsewhere; Tamsin, with Liam and tiny, mewling Robert, named for their father and the king, and already called Robin; and Margaret with her husband of a few months, Sir Duncan Campbell, justiciar in the north. Rowena had only met him days ago but found him not just very handsome, but quiet, wry, and likeable.
All too soon they would return to their homes. Aedan would travel, too, for he had promised to continue his work for the King of Scots as well as the Guardians of Scotland. The council would eventually take a new form once Robert Bruce drove the English out and established a firm seat of government as monarch.
A fortnight past, Bishop Lamberton had arrived at Kincraig with Marjorie MacDuff, Lady Jennet, and Colban, though the Keith siblings were not all there yet. The bishop was on hisway elsewhere and could not stay—but as promised, he had performed their wedding.
The wedding was double that day, for Marjorie and Patrick Wemyss were married in a shared ceremony beside Rowena and Aedan. The day was full of laughter, love, and happiness, though Rowena was sad to bid farewell to Aedan’s kin when they returned to Fife. But she loved that small Colban wanted to stay with his father and new stepmother.
She smiled to herself, thinking of that. Even now, Colban was tucked in bed in Kincraig’s keep. Though he had begged to stay up with the others, he yawned so fiercely as he pleaded that Aedan had carried him up to bed while Rowena stayed to tell him another story about pirates.
Before she left the room, sleepy Colban had confided that he had four mothers—Alisoun, whom he had never known, then Marjorie and Jennet, and now Rowena.
“Could I call you my lady mother now?” he asked in a shy voice.
Her heart expanded, tears rinsing her eyes. “I would be honored, Colban MacDuff,” she said.
She could hardly believe that only months ago, she and Aedan had faced the unknown, all they knew in danger. Now life felt secure, the future bright again. While her family talked, she yawned behind her hand, sleepy in the late hour, but not wanting to disband this wonderful company.
Her sister Margaret, so lovely with her vibrant red hair and the glow of love around her, seemed more lively than most of them as she leaned to whisper to her husband. Duncan smiled and stood, clearing his throat.
“Now that supper is done, we can share some news,” he said, “I recently had a message from King Robert. Some of you know that Robert Bruce is leaving the southwest to make his way north. He plans to stop at Brechlinn in a few days, since it is aconvenient place to meet with Scots lords from the central and Highland areas. He would like Liam and Aedan to join him there as soon as can be.”
“Excellent,” Aedan said. “I have news that he will want to hear with his own ears.” He smiled at Rowena, but his deeper glance held meaning.
She knew he thought of the hidden regalia, which Bruce might decide to leave in Fife or move elsewhere. The sword with the crystal stone, and her charm stone, were twin stones. Each stone had played an unusual role, as it turned out, in saving Scotland. The sword’s stone had come to the new king—and the healing stone had played an unexpected role too, for Malise Comyn had tripped because of the stone, injuring the king—who had died days later, freeing Scotland in his way.
Thomas the Rhymer had been correct after all. And with Longshanks gone, all Scotland could breathe more easily and begin the long road to recovery, redemption, and independence.
“I would be glad to join you to meet with Bruce,” Liam Seton was saying.
“I can stop there briefly as well,” Henry said. “Robert gave me a new assignment. I will be leaving my post in Selkirk to join Edward Bruce, Robert’s brother, in Ireland.”
“That is so exciting, Henry!” Margaret’s eyes twinkled. “Henry—you have never said much about what Grandda Thomas gave you as part of his legacy.”
“I have not. But I will say that while in Ireland, I should look for the faery ilk rumored to be thick upon the ground there. They may know what I should do.”
“Henry, tell us!” Tamsin said.
“Someday, dear.” He grinned. “Truly, I am not sure yet.”
