Chapter 19 #2
“I find that verra hard to believe. Perhaps he was merely trying to fool ye,” Cormac said skeptically.
“He was in truth, verra sincere. As I said, a changed man,” Maggie looked to Dylan for confirmation.
“I agree with Maggie. I’d never met him before, so I’m not familiar with the man he was, but the Richard I met and spent time with had obviously experienced some sort of transformation.
He told us about it and I’m certain he was telling the truth.
He stood by our side during the fight with Brielle and it angered her.
She really meant to kill him, she was forcing him to come towards her, and she was going to burn him to death with the magical flames she’d created, but Maggie was able to put out the fire.
” Dylan shook his head. “It all happened in a split-second, but when it was over, Richard had disappeared.”
Cormac lifted his eyebrows. “It seems too strange to be true, but if ye and Maggie believe he had turned over a new leaf, I’ll have to believe ye.” He smiled softly. “T’would be verra good indeed, if it is true, for it’ll mean one more thing we dinnae have to worry about in the future.”
They travelled the last few feet and headed through the gates of Breaghacraig. “It’s good to be back,” Dylan said. “I wasn’t sure we’d ever see this place again.”
“What do ye mean, ye werenae sure,” Maggie said indignantly, scowling at him.
“Maggie, you know what I mean. Even though I had every faith in your abilities, there were a few moments when I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, especially after Richard disappeared.” Dylan gave her his best puppy-dog-eyes.
“Well, when ye look at me like that, how can I stay mad at ye?” Maggie smiled, forgiving him instantly. They dismounted and handed their horses off to a couple of the stable lads. “I’d like to see Angus before I do another thing.”
“He’ll be happy to see ye,” Cormac said. “He’s upstairs in yer room, Dylan.”
“Will ye join us, Cormac?” Maggie asked.
“I’ll let ye visit with Angus on yer own. There’s much to do in preparation for the women and children coming back.” Cormac bid them goodbye and headed towards the great hall.
“Shall we?” Dylan asked, leading the way up the stairs.
Maggie followed behind, in a hurry to see Angus again. She had been so worried about him and now she had such good news to share. Their mission had been a success and they could go back home to Edna.
Dylan knocked on the door and Angus called out. “Come in.” He sounded rather grumpy, but the expression on his face when he saw Maggie was that of a very happy man. “Maggie! Dylan! Yer back. All went well, I hope.”
“It did Uncle Angus. Better than I could have hoped. How are you feeling?” Maggie sat by the bed and took hold of his hand.
“I’m fit as a fiddle,” Angus replied. “Tell me all about it and dinnae leave out any details.”
Maggie looked back at Dylan, who suddenly grew a shade paler.
“What’s going on between the two of ye?” Suspicion tinged Angus’ voice.
“Well, first I’ll tell ye that Dylan and I are in love,” Maggie blurted out. Angus’ eyes darted from Maggie to Dylan, who had now gone from pale to very red in the face.
“What are yer intentions, lad?” Angus who had appeared so happy just moments before, now sounded distinctly grumpy.
“Well, Angus,” Dylan stammered. “I haven’t had a chance to ask Maggie yet because I wanted to get your blessing first. I’d like to marry your niece.”
Maggie just about fainted dead away. “You want to marry me, Dylan?”
“I do. This wasn’t the way I had intended on proposing, but I want to set your mind at ease, Angus. So, do I have your blessing?”
Maggie could hardly contain herself, practically jumping for joy. “Say yes, Uncle, please!”
Angus cleared his throat and a most serious expression settled on his face. Maggie thought for sure he was going to say no, and her heart sank, but then he burst out laughing. “Of course ye have me blessing, lad. I cannae think of anyone I’d rather have marry me niece. Ye were made fer each other.”
“Thank you, sir,” Dylan said, sounding relieved.
“Oh, thank you, Uncle!” Maggie looked expectantly at Dylan who got down on one knee in front of her.
“Maggie MacKinnon, I don’t have a ring for you, and this may not be the romantic proposal you were hoping for, but will you marry me?” Dylan didn’t have to wait long for her answer as Maggie threw herself at him, knocking him to the floor and landing on top of him.
“Yes! Yes! Yes! I will marry you!”
Angus had propped himself up on his pillows and was laughing and clapping as he watched.
Dylan surrendered to Maggie’s kisses and when she was finished, he stood up and helped Maggie to do the same.
She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of him.
Her dreams were all coming true. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world.
“Now that we have that out of the way, why dinnae ye tell me what happened with Brielle. I can hardly wait to find out.”
“Well, Uncle ’tis a long story, but I’ll be happy to recount it for you.”
Maggie and Dylan filled Angus in on Brielle, Sir Richard, and the battles against the Cait Sith and the giant stone men. Between the two of them, they didn’t leave out a single detail.
“So, ye say the amulet was like a tiny beating heart. Unbelievable!” Angus shook his head, seeming overwhelmed by what he was hearing.
“Aye, Uncle. It was,” Maggie confirmed.
Angus appeared very content to hear that Maggie had done what she had set out to do.
“I’m verra proud of ye, lass,” he said, with tears of joy brimming in his eyes.
“Now help me up out of this damn bed. I’d like to go downstairs and celebrate this momentous occasion with everyone.
Check that passageway, to see if Mary is anywhere in sight.
That woman willnae leave me be. I swear she appears out of nowhere, every time I try to get out of this damned bed. ”
Maggie and Dylan had a good laugh over that, but they humored him and checked for Mary, before they all headed downstairs, with Angus announcing very firmly that this time, he would fight tooth and nail to stay out of bed for the rest of the day.
***
Robert had sent riders off to Lena and Ewan’s with word that Brielle would no longer be posing a threat to the MacKenzies and advising them, they should all return home as soon as possible. He also suggested that Lena and Ewan return with the others, so they could visit with Angus.
“As soon as I knew ye were back, I asked Mary to prepare the best feast she could manage, to celebrate yer safe return,” Robert announced.
“A toast to ye, Maggie and to ye, Dylan. Ye have returned victorious and spared us from ever having to deal with that witch again. I understand from yer uncle that the two of ye are to be married. We are all verra happy for ye. So, we drink to yer success and to yer future.” They all raised their cups in a toast and drank heartily.
A few minutes later, Mary appeared in the great hall, followed by the stable lads, whom she had evidently put to work in the kitchen.
They carried great platters of food, which they set at the head table and then hurried back to retrieve more.
Mary kept a watchful eye on them as the food was being delivered to each table.
“Thank ye, Mary. Ye’ve done a verra good job on short notice.
” Robert bowed his head in her direction and Mary, who appeared quite flustered at the compliment, bobbed a quick curtsy and left the room, but not before giving Angus a stern look of disapproval.
“Let’s eat!” Robert dug into his food and the others followed suit.
The evening meal that night was filled with tales of Maggie and Dylan’s adventures. Everyone was fascinated and full of questions regarding the battle.
“I’ve never seen a Cait Sith before,” Robert said. “I didnae believe they really existed.”
“I dinnae ken whether they exist or not, but Brielle somehow managed to conjure up three verra large ones,” Maggie said, enjoying the way everyone was listening so intently to her retelling of the showdown with Brielle.
“And the giant stone men,” Cailin said. “Ye must have been verra frightened.”
“Maggie was amazingly brave,” Dylan responded with a proud smile. “I don’t think she was scared by anything Brielle sent our way.”
“I didnae have time to be afraid,” Maggie offered. “Everything was happening so fast. I had no time to think, only time to act.”
“Well, we’re all verra happy ye’ve returned safely to us. I dinnae believe Angus would have lasted another day, before he’d set off after ye.” Robert winked at Angus, who leaned back in his chair and harrumphed loudly.
Maggie soothed him. “We would have welcomed his help, if things had gone on much longer.” She patted Angus on the arm and smiled sweetly, mouthing the words, “I love you, Uncle.” Angus returned her smile, grasping her hand and bringing it up to his lips.
“The feeling is mutual,” he whispered back.
***
The room was filled with the happy voices of the men who had stayed behind to guard Breaghacraig.
They ate, drank and toasted Maggie and Dylan, long into the night.
The MacKenzie’s even found it within their hearts to propose a toast to Sir Richard, after they all learned of his change of heart and how he had fought along with Maggie and Dylan to defeat Brielle.
When it was apparent that everyone was beginning to head off to bed, Angus spoke. “Dylan, ye’ll be rooming with me tonight in the barracks. Maggie, ye can have Dylan’s room upstairs.”
Maggie tried to hide the disappointment she suffered at this pronouncement, but it seemed from Dylan’s expression that he was equally unhappy about the situation.
They kissed each other good night and before Maggie or Dylan was ready to be finished, Angus clapped Dylan on the back.
“Come along, son. She’ll still be here in the morn. ”