The Gathering
One new scene for you
Brenna Grant Ramsay stood on the parapets with tears in her eyes, looking over the unbelievable number of people who had come to honor her dearest brother’s life.
The surrounding fields were full of scattered tents with banners identifying the many clans represented at this farewell to the great chieftain and swordsman, Alexander Grant.
Grants, Ramsays, Camerons, Mathesons, Menzies, Drummonds.
Siblings, bairns, grandbairns, friends, nobles, villagers.
So many who loved and admired Alexander Grant.
Brenna looked forward to finally settling with the family in the great hall after the end of the ceremony and the meal shared afterward.
Jennie squeezed her hand. “They are together now. It’s what he wanted more than anything.”
Brenna whispered, “I know. He is with Maddie, Mama and Papa, Jake, Aline, Robbie, Caralyn. And my dearest husband. Quade, I miss you so much.”
“And the one they lost. They are meeting for the first time.”
Brenna whipped her head to face her sister. “Do you believe that?”
“I do. You’ll meet your son or daughter. They live on in our hearts,” Jennie replied, squeezing her sister with a quick hug.
“Come, we must join the family in the hall.” The crowds of people in the courtyard and spilling out past the curtain walls was spellbinding. “Kyla, Emmalin, and Gracie did a wonderful job with the food. Everyone has a place to sleep. Let’s go down. It’s getting chilly up here, sister.”
Brenna came down the staircase, Jennie behind her.
Brodie approached them. “What now, sisters? What would you like to do?’
Everyone in the hall hung on Alex’s siblings’ words, giving them the respect they deserved.
Brenna let out a long sigh and said, “Please, if you don’t mind, I would love to hear from all of you, if you would share a memory of Alex. For the bairns to know him better, and to ease our hearts.” She stood between Brodie and Jennie and squeezed both of their hands. “I’ll start.”
Brodie led his sisters over to two chairs near the hearth, the fire offering the warmth they needed. He handed Brenna a fur while Jennie declined one, then Brenna collected her thoughts.
When she was ready, she said, “One of the things I loved most about my dear brother is how he adored bairns. Not just his own bairns and grandbairns, but everyone’s.
When I first met Quade, I knew how to convince my brother I was in the right place.
I sent Lily into the great hall to charm him, and I was not wrong. ”
Lily let out a squeal. “Oh, Mama.”
“He couldn’t take his eyes from you when you ran across the hall, giggling and asking him if you were the fastest. He adored you, Lily.”
Brodie slapped his thigh. “I remember it well. You were not that fast, but you thought you were. You ran and ran so much, and Alex’s gaze followed you everywhere.”
Lily burst out, “It was my favorite place for a long time, sitting on Uncle Alex’s lap. He was so warm. I took many naps there.”
Connor said, “I’ll always cherish the memory of Da and his stories. Remember when Mama was abed and he took over telling us stories every eve? After he finished telling the story of the Battle of Largs, I was so afraid of the Norse that I had nightmares of galley ships chasing me across the loch.”
Jamie and Kyla both laughed, Kyla saying, “Nay, the tale of the baron and Aunt Celestina was the worst. Auntie, do you not still have nightmares over that evil man?”
Celestina smiled in the middle of her tears, mopping her face the best she could. “Alex was such a hero.”
Finlay said, “I’ll never forget when he went against Glenn of Buchan. What a powerful swordsman he was.”
Maeve whispered between her hitching sobs.
“He was the best father in the world. The gentlest man ever, walking me to the orchard whenever he could. And every time a thunderstorm came in the middle of the night when I was little, I’d open the door to their bedchamber and he’d pat the spot between the two of them and toss me into bed.
One time I nearly hit the beams on the ceiling because he tossed me so high. ”
Brenna giggled, imagining that so easily that it warmed her heart.
Loki stood up, and all quieted. “I’m going back to one of my first memories of Alex.
It was when I had to stand in front of him to be accepted into the clan.
I admit I nearly pished myself when he bellowed at me the first time.
” Then Loki did his best imitation of Alex, so true that it tugged on Brenna’s heartstrings.
“Aye or nay, lad!” Applause and giggles spread through the group.
Loki continued, “And when he turned me around and all his guards knelt down and dropped their swords on the ground, I do believe my trews became a wee bit damp. But I loved every minute of it. And of Uncle Alex. A true treasure who will never be forgotten.”
Logan got up and said, “Here’s to an old goat, first my enemy, then an ally with the keenest mind I’ve ever known in all the land.
May you rest in peace, my dear friend, and tell my brother that I miss his ornery arse too.
” He took his seat as others held their goblets up, but he bolted back up and said, “I still say your sister is smarter than you and certainly better looking. But you’ll be missed. Many thanks for all the conversations.”