Loki decided to stop and visit Clan Grant since they needed to travel through Grant land in order to reach the well-traveled path out of the Highlands. Every time he visited his childhood home, he was flooded with memories of the past. Happy times he’d spent running across the grounds with his cousins Jamie and Jake, playing with Torrian and his deerhound, and courting his Bella. Aunt Maddie and Uncle Alex persuaded them to stay for the night, and after dinner they gathered around the warm hearth to talk with their dear relatives.
“I hope you return in time to share in our Christmas celebration,” Aunt Maddie said.
Kenzie hopped out of his chair. “We have to be back, do we not, Papa?” he asked eagerly.
Loki said, “We’ll do our best as long as the storms don’t keep us away. We’ve agreed to celebrate the solstice here and at Castle Curanta. We also must consider ‘tis possible Bella could bring this new bairn into the world around the winter solstice. You know I cannot miss that, nor would you like to miss it. Am I not correct?”
“Aye, we must be home to see the new bairn. We will have to find the man with the furs quickly,” Kenzie said, the expression on his face clearly communicating that he had no intention of spending much time in Ayr. All the better.
“We’ll do our best to wait for you, lad,” Uncle Alex said.
Aunt Maddie added, “And we’ll all go to Castle Curanta if Bella delivers the bairn. Caralyn’s help will be needed, and we can keep one another company.”
“My thanks to you both. I know Bella will appreciate the assistance, especially with wee Lucas.” Loki couldn’t help but worry about the timing of their trip, but he knew it would be worse to wait. Bella would be more than busy after the babe came, and travel would be dangerous once winter settled in. No, best to go ahead of the winter solstice.
Alex brought him back to their conversation, knowing just what Kenzie wished to hear. “We’re hoping to have a successful hunting trip, Kenzie. At least one or two deer and a goose or two is our hope.”
“Aye, Uncle Alex,” the lad said, jumping up and down in excitement. “‘Tis my favorite. I love venison meat pies. We must return, Papa. And fruit pies, too, Aunt Maddie?” Loki couldn’t help but smile at the lad’s exuberance. He himself had probably looked that way after his first experiences with the Grants and their wonderful cook. A lad who’d gone hungry many times learned to appreciate the blessings of good food.
“Of course,” Maddie said with a grin. “We have many berries and apples. We will have plenty for all. We’ll be sure to send a basket to your mama and grandparents if you’re not back in time for the celebration. I’ll give you a sack of fruit and some oatcakes to take on your trip.”
“But we will be back in time. We will!” Kenzie glanced from Alex to Maddie and back. “Will you not have evergreens decorated around the hall so it smells sweet?”
“Aye, we will.”
“And fresh rushes?”
“Aye.”
“And big, fat loaves of bread?”
Maddie smiled. “Of course. I’ll make you your own special loaf, Kenzie.”
“Papa, we must return in time. We must!”
The door burst open, a gust of wind howling in behind the newest visitors. Alex and Maddie’s son, Jamie, entered with his second, Finlay, and Finlay’s brother Fergus. Gillie followed them in, stomping his feet for warmth. The lad, an orphan of ten and four summers, had joined Clan Grant after the clan’s recent battle with the Buchans.
“Loki, what brings you to Grant land in this cold weather?” Jamie bellowed, his cheeks pink from the weather. He grinned at them with his usual good cheer.
“Och, we have an important journey to make to Ayr. Kenzie and I are looking to visit with some old friends.” Loki gave Kenzie a pointed look, hoping he wouldn’t talk about his dreams to all. They’d already created enough of a fuss.
“Why not take Gillie with you?” Jamie asked. “He was planning to visit you around the time of the wee bairn’s arrival.”
Gillie grinned. “Aye, normally I would, but I’d prefer to be here for the winter solstice after all the tales I’ve heard about the food. I’m heading home to help Nicol with some chores, but I wished to stop by and give greetings to you and Kenzie.” He stayed for a moment, chatting with Kenzie, and then left with a wave.
As the door closed behind him, a quiet voice said, “I’d like to go with you if you’ll have me.” Fergus lifted his chin a notch.
Finlay shot a surprised look at his elder brother. The two had lost their mother not long ago—a loss that was still felt by all in the clan. Of the brothers, Finlay had recovered more fully from his grief. He’d married Kyla, Alex and Maddie’s daughter, but Fergus still seemed lost. Perhaps it would be good for him to get out.
“Truly?” Finlay asked. “Back to Ayr? During the solstice? Why not stay and enjoy the brief holiday? ‘Twill do you good.”
“Aye. I know not what to say except that I’m restless. I’ve felt unsettled ever since we lost Mama. Loki? What say you?” Fergus didn’t look at anyone else for guidance.
Loki glanced at his uncle Alex first to gauge his reaction, but as always, his uncle kept his feelings well hidden. So he took the measure of the others before he replied.
Finlay took two steps back, staying outside of his brother’s view, and shook his head no.
Jamie took a step behind Finlay and nodded his head in agreement.
At last he turned to look at Aunt Maddie. He paused for a moment to reflect in her goodness, how much they all treasured her presence and guidance. Then she gave him a barely perceptible nod and a wink.
Loki said, “Pack your things. We leave at dawn, as soon as we get our bellies filled. The pickings will be random on our journey.”
***
Fergus MacNicol left the great hall with a smile on his face. He knew all too well that his brother would follow him. Sure enough, he heard the door bang shut behind him as Finlay rushed out to speak with him.
“Could your decision not have waited until we talk with Da?” Fergus peered sideways at his brother, huddled inside the wool tunic he’d worn to practice in the lists. “I know ‘tis our first solstice celebration without Mama, but I don’t wish to lose my brother, too.” He gave a shudder, then said, “‘Tis a mighty bitter wind out here today. Let’s move along.”
Rather than answer, Fergus pushed himself to a run toward the small cottage he and his sire and now Gillie shared inside the bailey—the same cottage where they’d lost their mother to that awful growth in her belly. Finlay broke into a run behind him.
“Why now?” his brother shouted.
“I didn’t choose the timing for Loki’s trip.”
They arrived at the cottage and Fergus burst in through the door. His sire and Gillie were busy piling wood next to the hearth, enough to keep the building warm overnight against the cutting wind. The hut was neatly tucked into a corner not far from the curtain wall, which protected it from the worst of the wind.
As soon as they stepped inside, Finlay hurried over to their father. Between gasps of air, he said, “Fergus is leaving with Loki.”
Their sire didn’t even hesitate. “When is Loki leaving? And why? What are his plans?”
“He’s bringing Kenzie to Ayr to visit someone. Fergus asked if he could go along. What say you, Papa?”
Nicol tossed wood into the dying embers, stirring the fire to keep it going. “From your question, I’m assuming you do not agree with Fergus’s decision. Or is it Loki you disagree with?”
“I think Fergus should stay with us. ‘Tis out first year without Mama. We should all be together.”
“But you have Kyla.” Finlay had had the good fortune of marrying his perfect match, something that had not yet happened for Fergus. At one time, he’d fancied himself in love with Gracie Grant, but now he knew they’d have never suited. Gracie and Jamie belonged together, undoubtedly.
“Aye, so Papa will be alone if you leave.”
“Nay, I will not be alone.” Their sire stood and turned to face them both.
“What?” Finlay asked, dumbfounded.
“This will be a difficult year for all of us. Finlay, you have a new wife, and you’ll be celebrating with her family. You know how her mother fusses over the holiday, and she’ll involve you in all of the Grants’ plans. I couldn’t be happier for you. I made this plan just the other day.”
“Why?” Fergus asked, now joining his brother in curiosity.
“Since Brodie and Celestina have gone to Castle Curanta to be with Bella when the new bairn arrives, they’ve invited all of us to join them. Fergus, you’re welcome to come if you’d like, but if you’d prefer to travel with Loki, you have my blessing.” Fergus’s father and Brodie Grant were lifelong friends, so it was no surprise the couple had issued such an invitation.
“You knew Loki was leaving?” Finlay pressed.
“Aye, Loki sent word to his parents to ask for their help. The Grant castle is always bustling at the holidays, and Bella will be needing help, so I said I would be happy to join them, and Gillie said he also wished to go, though perhaps he’d rather travel with the lads.”
“Then I’ll be here alone,” Finlay stated, his hands on his hips.
“Will you?” his sire asked.
“Nay, you’ll not be alone,” Gillie insisted.
Finlay settled into a chair by the hearth with a whoosh. “Nay, I’ll have Kyla and Jamie and Gracie and…”
“Too many to count. I couldn’t be happier for you, son. Gillie did not know your mother, so he can make his own choice of where he wishes to go, but Fergus and I are alone. I had hoped he would go to Loki’s with me, but if he’d prefer to travel to Ayr, then I encourage him to do so.” With that, he turned to face Fergus. “Is there any special reason you’re leaving? May I help in any way?”
Fergus sat at the table in the far corner. “As I explained to Finlay, I’m restless.”
“You’re missing your mother, as we all are. I feel exactly the same way, which is why I plan to be with my old friend for the holidays. You recall ‘twas Brodie and I who found Loki hiding in the bushes in Ayr, do you not? He was a wee lad as small as his Kenzie.”
Finlay nodded. After a deep sigh, he heaved himself out of the chair and made his way to the table. Clasping his brother’s shoulder, he said, “Then go with my blessing, but I’ll still wish you’ll return by the solstice.”
Gillie stood by the pile of wood, kneading his hands. “I’ll stay here with your papa. Will we enjoy a feast at Castle Curanta, too? I don’t wish to miss Maddie’s, but I’d rather stay with you, Nicol.”
“Aye, we’ll have food at both places. ‘Tis our tradition at the winter solstice—feast and make merry with the clan. We are close enough to travel to both eventually.”
Gillie nodded emphatically. “I’ll go wherever there’s a celebration. I’ve had enough of being cold and hungry during the solstice. I have no desire to return to Edinburgh. Mayhap someday.”
Nicol declared, “Fergus, go with all of our blessings. Is that not right, Finlay?”
“Aye,” Finlay said, squeezing his brother’s shoulder again. “I wish you a safe journey.”
Fergus nodded. He wouldn’t tell his brother or his sire the truth.
He needed to find the woman of his dreams.