Bonus Scene
Maeve had come to think of the little clearing in the woods near Bruce Castle as 'their' clearing—the place where she and Cailean could go to be truly alone, free to be in each other’s arms without anyone to judge, talk or whisper. Even though they were now practically married, she tried not to draw too much attention to them, afraid of what it could mean for Cailean’s rule.
In the aftermath of all of the events since they had started their trip to McKenzie Castle, all the way up to the moment they'd pledged themselves to one another in front of the world, she'd felt like they hadn't truly had a moment where they were alone.
Even in their chambers, where they were free to indulge in one another and express their love, there was always still the pressing knowledge that the other rebels were only a few walls away.
Here in the woods, though, in this clearing with the sunlight filtering in through the tree branches and the cold air gently caressing their faces, where they had relaxed together after their last adventure, Maeve felt like she and Cailean could be truly at peace together.
Nobody would disturb them here, and sitting among the pretty grass and among the gorgeous and vibrantly colored Scottish wildflowers, it felt like Maeve was the heroine of some sort of fairy story rather than a beleaguered soldier with many battles ahead until they could finally live in true peace.
"It's another world here," she mused, laying back on her hands and watching as the sun rose above the canopy of the trees, a sleepy welcome to the new day.
The dawn filtered through the leaves, casting an orange glow over the beautiful little meadow and the stunning wildflowers—each color and smell heightened by the moisture of dawn.
"Despite all the turmoil our country is facin' and all the work we have tae do, it's like this wee peaceful place alone remains untouched. Like it’s our own little paradise. "
Cailean made a small noise of agreement, but did not elaborate further. He was sitting up, his back to her, working on something in a furtive way. His brow furrowed and his blonde hair carelessly falling in his face.
Maeve turned her head to squint her green eyes at him. "What are ye up tae over there?" she asked curiously.
"Hush, let me work," Cailean told her, fanning the flame of her curiosity.
That made Maeve laugh. He sounded like he was concentrating hard on whatever his secret creation might be, and so she dutifully stayed quiet as she enjoyed the rest of the filtered sunrise.
She must have dozed off to sleep, for the next thing she knew, Cailean was shaking her gently awake. Her eyes fluttered open to see him staring at her with youthful excitement on his face, his grey eyes sparkling.
"What do ye think?" he asked, holding out the result of his work. A grin playing on his handsome face.
Maeve looked down at his hands and laughed with delight.
He had painstakingly picked colorful wildflowers from around them in hues of blue and pink and purple, with little white daisies dotted around, and elegantly woven them into a circlet.
"Ye made me a crown!" she exclaimed—more touched than she showed by her sweet husband’s thoughtful gesture.
Cailean grinned wider at her reaction, his grey eyes sparkling, looking very pleased with himself. "For ye, me queen," he said in a playfully solemn tone, then placed the circlet on her head, fixing it on her long, brown hair. "Ye look fair bonny, love. Like a faerie queen."
Maeve smiled as she touched the flowers on her head.
"I love it, thank ye," she told him genuinely. He settled down next to her, and she rested her head on his shoulder, careful not to mess up the flowers as she did. Cailean leaned in and nestled in her hair, careful not to ruin his queen’s crown.
"I ken we have much tae do, but Lord kens, part of me wishes I could stay here with ye forever. "
"One day, we'll have forever." Cailean moved, shifting her gently so that he could put his arm around her and let her rest on his chest instead.
His heartbeat, a song that grounded her in the here and now.
"Ye ken that, aye? After this is all over, there'll be a whole future for us tae build—nae just for the country, but for ourselves, as well. "
"We'll have our own home. A castle fit for the king of a free Scotland." She paused, then a little more shyly added. "And, if ye're willin', we'll fill it with bairns."
"Of course we will," Cailean said immediately, sounding absolutely thrilled at the prospect. "Daughters with the wit and beauty of their mother."
"Sons with the strength and courage of their father." Maeve added with no hesitation.
"Both, God willin'," Cailean agreed. "They'll always love their brothers and sisters, and always ken that their mammy and daddy love them, and love each other very deeply as well."
"And they'll ken their aunts, who'll be with us. Breana, aye, but perhaps Neala, too," Maeve told him. She paused, then said, her tone hopeful, "And maybe even Nessa, too."
Laughing, Cailean added, "And can ye imagine how they will be with Darren and Eoin, chasin' them around! And Kier, a grandfather in all but name, loudly declarin' the crown princes and princesses as honorary members of the Bruce clan."
Maeve snuggled closer to Cailean, then turned her head up to kiss him.
He pressed his lips against hers, and they lost themselves in each other for a while, each of them dreaming of the future they had just imagined.
The beauty of their surroundings echoed the hope they felt in their heart for the promise of new beginnings, and that kiss was like a vow.
For a future worth fighting for. For a new and free world, a world better than they found it!
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