Page 48 of A Promise of Love

J udith knelt beside Granmere's bed, took her frail hand in hers, and sobbed with an acute sense of loss. She bowed her head, tears slipping unchecked down her face. It had been a quiet passing, in her sleep, as quiet and devoid of fuss as if Sophie had planned it .

Alisdair's touch upon her shoulder, as he moved to kneel beside her, roused her finally.

Words were without comfort, but she could be here.

She placed her hand over his, the other stretched upon the bed to touch Granmere's arm, feeling the fragility of her bones, as if she weighed no more than a feather .

Sophie had been the first person to welcome her to this land, her staunchest ally. Judith had felt such love for this tiny woman with her indomitable will and a spirit far more robust than her physical strength. If she were grieving so, what was Alisdair feeling ?

"I wish I could have saved her," he said, his voice low and tinged with loss, “but I’ve no treatment for age .”

"She was ready, Alisdair. She had prepared herself .”

"How do you know?" He turned to look at her and Judith almost wept at the sadness in his eyes .

"By this," she said, rising. Judith retrieved the casket of jewels she had been instructed to give to Alisdair. "She wanted you to have these," she said, handing the small box to him. It was ornately decorated with pearls and its rounded top was encrusted with tiny, sparkling bits of glass .

He held it in his large hands, a small smile touching his lips. "I was ever intrigued by this when I was a boy," he said softly, and then searched for one spot on the side of the casket. He pressed one rounded jewel and a secret drawer slid free .

He stared at the contents for a long moment.

There were two objects lovingly placed there.

On one side rested a drawstring bag containing Granmere's small collection of unmounted jewels.

Nestled on the other side was her wedding ring.

She had not removed it since she had come to Scotland as a bride.

Indeed, he had not noticed its absence from her finger until now.

Alisdair pushed the drawer back into place, understanding full well his grandmother's last request .

He wished he did not .

Her duty not yet complete, Judith went to the small vanity his grandmother had used all of her life. From the top drawer, she extracted another article and returned to Alisdair's side .

She could not prevent the tears, nor the sudden lump in her throat .

"I charge you, Alisdair MacLeod," she said, in the somber tones the oath she’d memorized decreed, "Chief of the clan MacLeod, laird of your people, with the honor, duty and obligation of your station.

Do you, Alisdair MacLeod, promise to protect and shelter your people, provide for them with your might, and by the right of your birth ? "

"What is this?" He extended his hand to hers, to what lay shining in her palm, but she withdrew it .

"Please, Alisdair, just answer ."

He had known the laird's pledge for as long as his memory served him.

It was strictly a ceremonial oath, given during solemn occasions, when the mantle of responsibility fell to the living, on the night following the death of the current laird.

He had not the time, nor had it been thought of, following the battle of Culloden .

He nodded .

"You must speak it, Alisdair," Judith said softly, tears husking her voice .

"I do so say, and I will do so," he said, repeating the ancient response .

"Then wear this badge proudly," Judith said, repeating the words Granmere made her learn. "The blood of your fathers protect you, the love of your mothers surround you, the pride of your clan sustain you." She reached over and brushed his hands away and pinned the crested badge upon his shirt .

He looked at its shining surface mutely and then at Judith in confusion.

He had not seen this since his father had worn it during that final battle.

He had supposed it had been lost. He did not know how his grandmother had come to have it, but he knew well the gesture she had forced Judith to make.

At her death, she was telling him that she found him worthy .

It made her last request more vital .

He would do it, but his spirit and his heart rebelled .