Rosalie and Declan enjoyed the company of the Brody clan. They took their time resupplying, blessed with fresh horses for their journey. Aggie collected a few gowns for Rosie from the other women. Angus gave Declan a pouch of herbs for himself.
The trio stood at the long winding road, easing out from the keep and cottages, to say goodbye; Angus surprised Declan’s embrace. The large man squeezed the Highland Chief hard enough to lift him a clear foot off the ground. Rosalie laughed.
“If ye ever need anythin’, don’t hesitate tae call on me,” Angus said.
Rosalie could have sworn she saw tears wet the whites of his eyes. “An’ ye as well,” she smiled.
“Get off with ye, before I try an’ run away with ye,” Angus gestured.
“Thank ye again fer everythin’. It’s been a pleasure travelin’ with ye at my side.”
Rosalie and Declan mounted their horses. Angus stood, watching them until they capped over the hill and vanished from sight. The young couple traveled at a comfortable speed. Their bodies hardened enough to endure long days - often, they rode well past dark, fueled by Rosalie’s desire to get back to her Roma community before they gave up and moved on for the winter.
With each other’s company, the days slipped by in a daze. Even more challenging moments seemed effortless with the kindness and encouragement they received from one another’s presence. The weather treated them well, and before long, they started to recognize landmarks welcoming them home.
“I’m nervous,” Rosalie said.
“About?”
“What Magda might say,” Rosalie looked over the land. “How long until we reach the Loch Awe?”
Declan looked around them. “Half a day.”
Rosalie groaned. “What if they’re gone?”
Declan wished he knew a better answer for her. “Don’t worry about it, lassie. It’ll all turn out as it should.”
The closer they came, the more Declan could sense Rosalie’s rising anxiety. Their usual banter and chipper discussions fell into silence. He wished he could console her, but knew the best thing he could do was reunite her with her loved ones as fast as possible.
It was dark when they entered the woods lining the Loch Awe. Where Rosalie was in a mood, distracted by her fears and thoughts, Declan was thrilled to be home finally. The scent of wild herbs and rain touched grass awakened deep nostalgia. Excitement coursed in him at knowing Rosalie would return to his home with him. The worst of his journey was over.
Rosalie was pale. Declan could not tell if she was even breathing as they rounded a bend in the trail. She gasped and looked at him.
“They’re there! They waited for me!” Tears of joy ran down her cheeks.
The young traveler kicked her horse into a gallop, running towards her family. The mare had only a split moment to stop before she swung from the saddle and ran towards Magda. Magda tried to brace herself in time. Rosalie barreled into the older woman, holding her tight.
“I thought I would never see ye again,” Rosalie cried into her shoulder.
The old woman’s hands shook as she touched the girl’s hair. She looked as if she aged years over the past weeks. Her aged hands combed over the girl’s thick, red hair.
“Oh, Rosie, I was scared tae death.” Without letting go of her adopted daughter, she looked at Declan, “Thank ye, thank ye so much.”
Anna stood nearby, waiting for her turn to hug her friend. The community gathered around in both curiosity and excitement. They seemed shocked to see Rosalie return. Alexander patted Declan on the shoulder.
“Ye’ve done well.”
Declan was unsure how to accept the compliments. He did not do it for accolades. He rescued Rosalie because there was no other choice for him. That night they did not worry about the future or the past. They did not concern themselves with who belonged and who did not. They laughed and talked and sang and danced as one, united in their joy and celebrations.
As the fire started to die and Magda grew tired, Rosalie leaned in close to her. “I need tae talk tae ye in the morn.”
Magda nodded, “I figured ye would.”
“I have tae know the truth.” The young woman reached out and took Magda’s hand, “But I want ye tae know, it doesnae change who ye are tae me or how I feel about ye. If there’s one thing I learned through all o’ this, ‘tis that no matter what, ye are my mother.”
Declan listened to the tender moment until Alexander gestured for him. The old man pulled the Highlander aside. He shifted his weight by the fire.
“I cannot tell ye how grateful I am fer bringing her back to us.”
“It was nothin’,” Declan said.
“I didnae tell ye this before because it weren’t the right time, but the night before she was taken from us, we decided it best she leave our community.”
“She told me.”
“Aye, well, we’ve discussed everything as a community, an’ my people have decided to give the girl a choice in the matter if she so chooses.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Rosalie looked over at Declan. She couldn’t hear what Alexander was talking to him about, and her smile faded as she saw his body stiffen. Declan walked over to her and planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
“I’ll talk to ye tomorrow,” was all he said before mounting on his horse and disappearing.
She could sense something disturbed him, but her jovial surroundings prevented her from distress. That night, she slept more sound than she could remember. Not a single dream interrupted her. When she awoke, she was fresh and ready to face her past and welcome her future.
Magda was already up and waiting for Rosalie. Rosalie followed her into the woods. They didn’t speak for a long while, neither of them knowing how to start such a heavy conversation.
“It seems as if you two have bonded o’er this,” Magda said.
“Aye,” Rosalie blushed.
It amazed her how all of the fears that tormented her before seemed to vanish entirely over time. She did not sense a hint of animosity from the community regarding Declan. His actions washed away any feelings they may have harbored against him.
“Tell me, if ye had the choice to stay or tae join him, what would ye choose?” Magda asked.
Rosalie picked a wildflower from the brush and twisted in her fingers, “Him.” She looked up and saw Magda nodding. “I’ve thought and learned a lot. The truth is that we’re on borrowed time, Magda. If I were born in another place, I would still have tae leave yer side. Even if I stayed, one day, Anna would be wed and consumed by her own family, an’ ye will pass on, like us all.”
“You’ve grown.” Magda smiled at her daughter.
“Aye, I suppose I have.” She furrowed her brow. “An’ the distance—it doesn’t change anythin’. The weeks we’ve been apart have passed by, an’ here we stand, side by side, closer than we were before. What’s a year?”
Magda nodded. She was quiet for a moment while they walked. “Yer mother…” Rosalie perked up. “She may no’ have been a lady, but she was a good, hard workin’ woman. When I met her, ye were plump and healthy, but she…” pain crossed Magda’s face, she looked up at Rosalie as if asking if she wanted to hear this.
“It’s all right, I jus’, I have tae know.”
Magda let out a heavy exhale. “She were sick, jus’ bones. She knew she didn’t have long in this world, an’ she begged me to take ye. We met because she needed medicine. I think she were lookin’ fer a miracle. My heart broke fer her so soon after losing my own family. I spent night and day tryin’ tae help her and refused tae leave when she tol’ me tae jus’ take ye. I stayed with her ‘til she died, an’ she begged me tae help ye, tae make sure ye stayed healthy an’ had a chance in this world.”
Rosalie didn’t know what to say. It did not surprise her that her mother was not a noblewoman or some elf that might come up from a fairy hill down one day. Knowing did bring her wonderings to an end.
“An’ me father?” she asked.
; Magda shook her head. “I don’ know anythin’ about him. I were under the impression it were jus’ the two o’ ye from the start.”
“Thank ye,” Rosalie smiled. “That weren’t so hard, now, were it?”
Magda’s features turned into her signature crossed expression. “An’ what were I supposed tae do? Crush yer little dreams? Do ye remember how ye’d go on an’ on about who yer mother prob’ly was? You an’ Anna were ridiculous.” She shook her head and smiled, but the smile faded, “An’ it were hard fer me to remember yer mother in those last weeks. It broke my heart. The love she had fer ye, the way she struggled to hol’ on. She could barely talk in those last days; an’ I tried everythin’, Rosie.”
Rosalie touched her mother’s back. “I know ye did.”
Magda stopped and looked around at the forest. The leaves were falling. A few flowers still speckled the grasses changing from green to yellow. Birds flitted, hurried to finish their autumn toils before winter.
“How long ‘til ye leave?” Rosalie asked.
Magda’s face cringed as she struggled to keep her tears back. It caused a lump to rise in Rosalie’s throat. She was trying to remain brave, but it was difficult.
“I were meanin’ tae talk tae ye about that. Alexander convinced the Roma’s tae give ye a choice to come with us or stay. We all feel awful about Enoch.” Magda’s eyes were wet, and she turned her head away from Rosalie, “But I think,” she coughed, “I think Declan is a good man. Anyone who’d be willin’ tae help ye like that,” she smiled, “Is worth keepin’. I know ye’ll be cared for with him, an’ that makes me the happiest woman.”
This took Rosalie by surprise. After all the drama they’d endured before her leaving, after all the assurances that there was nothing she could do against tradition, she crumbled. The brief flare of her temper simmered as she realized this was a compliment. She felt more loved and accepted by her community, more at peace with who she was than ever before.
“This life is nae longer for me. All I can hope is that ye an’ Anna will visit an’ write an’ remember me.”
Magda hugged Rosalie. She did not let go as she spoke. “We will leave within the next days. Alexander is scared it will freeze before we can fin’ another place.”
Rosalie nodded, cherishing the moment between them and struggling not to cry. “I love ye.”
“I know ye do. I love ye too. I’m so proud of ye, Rosie, dear. Ye’ve grown into a fine young woman.”
Rosalie found it difficult to say goodbye. She procrastinated her leaving, helping with whatever chores she could find. Anna stayed by her side, telling her about every minute drama that passed since they last saw each other and fishing for each detail about her and Declan.
There came a moment in the night, though, where there was nothing left to do. Rosalie took a deep breath and headed to Declan. As she rode the short distance, a weight lifted from her shoulders. Everything seemed right.
Declan looked as if he had waited for her the entire day. The moment he looked up from where he sat at the entrance to his small settlement, he leaped to his feet and rushed to help her down. His hands reached for her waist and hoisted her from her horse.
“I was scared ye weren’t goin’ tae come,” he whispered as he hugged her.
“An’ why would I do a thing like that?” she smiled.
“Las’ night, Alexander—”
Rosalie silenced him with a kiss, “Am I still welcome?” she asked.
Declan’s face lit up. He scooped her off the ground and twirled her around in his excitement. “O’ course yer welcome.” he set her down and looked at her.
Rosalie could feel the affection between them. It was palpable, physical as well as spiritual. It lifted her soul and made her boots light.
“I ken I want tae spend me life with you, Rosalie.” He touched her hair and brushed her cheek with the palm of his hand.
Nothing about these words frightened her or made her feel trapped. They released butterflies in her stomach that sent excitement rushing through her. She wanted to dance. She wanted to shout and giggle, and yet all she could do was smile until the words came.
“Are ye askin’ me to be yer wife?” She smirked, playing, not expecting a serious answer. She placed her hands on her hips and shifted her weight.
“Aye, I am.” Declan’s smile faded. “Rosalie, will ye be my wife before man an’ god? Will ye spend yer life with me?”
He was serious. It took the breath right out of Rosalie.
The way he looked at her overwhelmed her with passion and joy. She tried to speak, but her cheeks swelled with a smile so big it hurt. Laughter boiled up, and she leaped towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Is that a yes, then?” She could hear the nervousness in his voice.
“Yes!” She covered his face with kisses. “Yes, yes, yes!”
Rosalie did not need anything more than she had. They rushed in putting a ceremony together, so her family was present. Magda helped her create something unique in a single day, a blend between the two families’ traditions.
Magda dressed her in her wedding attire, a beautiful gown embroidered with spring flowers. “I’ve been expectin’ a weddin’.”
The dress fit Rosalie like a glove. Magda had altered it over the past months in anticipation of Rosalie’s wedding to Enoch. It was perfect, like a dream come true for the young woman. Anna cried when she saw her friend before the ceremony—tears of joy, not sorrow.
“Are ye sure yer all right?” Rosalie asked.
Anna beamed. “It turns out I can get on withou’ ye jus’ fine.” She laughed as Rosalie shot her a look. “I’m jus’ happy ye found someone who makes ye so happy. I’ve never seen ye as radiant as now.”
The moonlight shone down on the McGregor Clan and travelers. Hugh and Alexander stood as officiants, their traditions blended into a single ceremony.
“Take each other’s hands in free will,” Hugh directed.
Rosalie’s heart pounded as crossed her arms. She had seen a few handfasting ceremonies, and part of her feared to do it wrong. The warmth in Declan’s gentle smile calmed her nerves as he took her right hand in his, and then crossed their arms, so their left hands clasped together in unity.
Hugh slipped a beautiful cord over the couple’s hands. “It were made from me mother’s things,” Declan whispered. “I made it last night.”
Small stones were tied snug along the length of the chord. Hugh looked at each of them. His features were solemn, but his eyes were wet with joy and pride.
“These are the hands o’ yer best friend. These are the hands that’ll work beside yours through life’s toils to build a future o’ love an’ prosperity. These are the hands that’ll cherish ye through the years, comfort ye in times o’ darkness, an’ tend to ye through illness an’ health. These are the hands that’ll hold ye an’ protect ye through times o’ fear an’ grief. These are the hands that’ll wipe tears o’ sorrow an’ o’ joy from yer eyes.”
Rosalie heard someone crying from the crowd gathered close to listen to their union. Hugh paused for a moment, collecting himself before continuing. He cleared his throat before continuing.
“With the tyin’ o’ this chord, we are no’ jus’ tyin’ two hands. It’s the joinin’ o’ two hearts, the intertwinin’ o’ two lives, an’ the bindin’ o’ two souls. Declan, do you vow to the old gods an’ the new, in front o’ family an’ friends, to take this woman as yer wife an’ partner as long as ye draw breath an’ love lives in yer heart?”
“Aye, I do,” Declan’s voice was rich and warm with affection.
“An’, Rosalie, do ye swear to take this man as yer husband as long as ye draw breath an’ love lives in yer heart?”
“Aye,” her voice trembled, “I do.”
“Repeat after me, as we tie each knot,” the chord laid over their hands crossed and clasped together, “Ye are blood o’ my blood an’ bone o’ my bone.”
Rosalie and Declan repeated the line in unis
on.
“I give ye my body, that we two might be one.”
With each declaration, Alexander tight another knot on the chord joining their hands together.
“I give ye my spirit, ‘til our life shall be done.
Ye cannot possess me for I belong to myself
But while we both wish it, I give ye that which is mine to give
You cannot command me, for I am free
But I shall serve ye in those ways ye require
Highlander’s Gypsy Lass (Highlander's 0f Clan Macgregor Book 1) Page 26
