Page 29 of Highlander’s Fruit of Eden

New Beginnings

“ F or the first time, it is me pleasure to introduce Laird and Lady Montgomery.”

The announcement was met with rapturous applause from within the Great Hall.

Jon strode in with his tartan trews and black jacket, Amelia on his arm.

She was resplendent in her long, flowing blue gown, and the pair made for a beautiful couple.

Jon tried to gauge the actual feeling in the room, and he was sure that the people within, mostly lords and ladies along with the more important people of his own Clan, were genuinely happy.

It had been a turbulent few months, and there had been some resistance to him becoming the Laird, especially after it had been found out that he had killed his own uncle, but there was proof that there was more to the story.

Jon did not want to besmirch his uncle’s memory, so only some of the letters had been released to the public, with the more pertinent ones shown to his closest advisors.

The guard’s testimony had been given, though no official reason was given as to why Vincent had attacked Jon other than it was possible, he was drugged.

Ada was also allowed to give her story, though a watered-down version that did not tell everything.

When all was said and done, there were still some who were loyal to Vincent still, but it was unanimously decided that Jon should be the new Laird.

“I am the happiest woman in the world to have married you today, and I feel as if I am walking through the clouds, but I can feel the tension in your arm. Take the time today to give yourself a day off from being the Laird,” said Amelia.

“I know that there is a lot of work to be done, but you have put in the hours. We have just got married, and this is a party for us, so let us enjoy it.”

“Aye,” said Jon.

“And that means that you have to dance with me, and there is nothing more that I want right now than to dance with you in front of everyone. I want to show you off.”

“And perhaps yerself too,” suggested Jon.

“Well, this gown deserves to be used to its fullest capacity,” said Amelia with a smile. “Besides, if we dance together, everyone else is going to want to dance too, and that is really going to make this a celebration.”

“Aye, ye are right,” said Jon. he took Amelia by the hand and led her to the dance floor in the center of the large room, accompanied by applause from the guests.

The fiddler played a slow song, with another musician playing the flute and one with a drum.

Jon pulled Amelia in tight and guided her in large circles.

“I am worried,” said Jon.

“I ken,” said Amelia.

“Me uncle put a lot of our money into the military, and with him gone, a few of the other Clans are sniffing around for more power. We need to hire more soldiers, and the trade deals that me uncle brokered are not quite as grand as he made them out. I dinnae ken how long he was going to keep that a secret. Now, I’ve had to raise the taxes to ensure we have enough crops to feed everyone and keep the military going.

People were already not happy with me, and now they have higher taxes and the threat of war.

Has any Laird has a worse start than this? ”

“I know,” said Amelia. “You are doing your best, and you will figure all of this out in time, but you need to give it that. Give it some time and keep doing what you are doing—looking out for the best interests of your Clan. It does not matter what happens, as long as you make good decisions and show that you truly care for your people, they are going to come around. You have many years ahead of you still, so do not dwell too much on the future or the past.”

“And dwell on the present,” added Jon. “I’m sorry, Amelia. Ye are right. This is our special day, and I shouldnae be worryin’ about what I cannae control. I have an idea.”

Jon let go of Amelia, stopping the dance in mid-stride.

He left Amelia on the dance floor and walked over to the musicians.

Amelia stood with her mouth open as he whispered to them.

The four musicians smiled, the bagpiper quickly filling the bag with more air, his cheeks inflating and deflating and slowly turning red.

“What was that all about?” asked Amelia when Jon returned to the dance floor.

“This is supposed to be a celebration, right? So, let’s celebrate.”

The low drone of the bagpipes kicked in, the tone carrying across the Great Hall. The drummer joined in soon after, followed by the flutist and fiddler. They played an upbeat reel, the type of song that got toes tapping, no matter who was listening.

“Would ye do me the honor?” asked Jon, holding out his hand.

“It would be my pleasure,” said Amelia. She took Jon’s hand, and he pulled her in toward him, lifting his hand to twirl her before taking her in his arms. He placed one hand on her waist and took her hand with the other.

Amelia had no sooner taken hold of her new husband when she was lifted into the air with a squeal.

Jon moved her in the air, and gently placed her back down before he led her around the dance floor in a flurry, each movement a bound.

He enjoyed the smile on Amelia’s face, and he forgot about the duty of being Laird for a moment.

When the music stopped, there was a loud cheer.

“Well! What are ye waitin’ for!” shouted Jon.

He motioned toward those sitting, and he and Amelia were soon joined by more dancers, each arranging themselves into sets.

The music soon started up again, another upbeat jig that had people dancing reels immediately.

Jon and Amelia were able to catch their breath briefly as a couple danced their way down the two lines or partners, the woman dancing a jig with each man and the man doing the same with the women before they came back together to spin in the middle.

It was soon Jon and Amelia’s turn, and they danced their way down the two lines, Amelia laughing the entire way.

It felt like they had been dancing for hours when the music stopped again, and they took their place at the top table. Jon felt like he could eat a horse, but he had to settle for roasted venison, freshly caught that morning.

“Maggie!” shouted Amelia as her friend approached the table.

“Amelia, I thought that ye were jokin’ when ye said that we were to all have the day off to attend yer weddin’. I cannae believe that we are all in here.”

“Well, you deserve it. And I could not have my wedding without having my friends here with me, could I?”

“This is braw,” said Maggie. “Braw!”

“Well, do not just stand there. Get some food in your belly and get up there and dance. There are many fine men here today.”

“I might just do that,” said Maggie. She left to go back to her table.

“Look,” said Jon. Amelia looked to where he had gestured to see Ruben with a large flagon of ale and a smile on his face. He was sat with a woman, and she was extremely interested in what he had to say.

“I am glad,” said Amelia. “He is a good man. Not the right one for me, but a good man, all the same.”

“And what makes a man the right man?” asked Jon. “Ye ken, put that on hold for one minute—they just brought out some pheasant, and I am starvin’ after ye made me dance around like that.”

“Now, I believe that was all your doing.”

“It was one of us, I can admit to that,” said Jon.

“Well, as you sit there eating, I can tell you that the perfect man has a big appetite, of course.”

Jon burst out laughing through a mouthful of pheasant and parsnip.

“But he is also kind and brave and loyal. He is the kind of man that you know is going to protect you. He makes you feel secure. He might even save you from death a couple of times.”

“And I would do it again,” said Jon.

“He cares for people. Not just the people who can get him what he wants or needs, but all his people, indiscriminately. He wants the best for those around him. He is wise and caring and passionate. It also does not hurt if he is handsome and desirable. I guess that would sum up the perfect man for me.”

“That is a lot to live up to,” said Jon. “Do ye think that ye will ever find a man like that?”

“Well, let me see,” said Amelia. She made a show of looking around the room before her eyes fell back on Jon. “Thankfully, that very man is sitting in front of me right now.”

“And he is the luckiest man in the world, for he found the perfect lass. I cannae believe me luck.”

“Get used to it,” said Amelia. “If you are the perfect man for me, and I am the perfect woman for you, then we are going to have to live the perfect life together.”

“I think we can do that,” said Jon. He leaned in and kissed his new wife.

Amelia was sure that they could.

The End?