Page 27 of Wendy Meets the Highlander Hamish (Scottish Highlander I Never Knew #5)

Fort Donald had been transformed into a realm of jubilation, alive with the vibrant energy of a victorious celebration.

The long wooden tables in the dining hall groaned under the weight of platters piled high with culinary delights.

Succulent roasted meats, tender fowl, and an array of vegetables adorned the feast tables, their rich aromas intermingling and tempting the taste buds of all who entered.

Tankards of frothy ale and flagons of deep red wine were passed among the revellers, the clinking of goblets accompanied by hearty toasts that echoed through the hall.

Musicians played lively tunes on fiddles and pipes, their melodies creating an infectious rhythm that beckoned couples to the dance floor.

The sound of laughter and joyous chatter blended with the music, filling the air with a sense of camaraderie.

As the night unfolded, the dancing became more spirited, with couples twirling and spinning to the lively tunes.

The strains of a love ballad prompted more intimate embraces, and the dining hall seemed to pulsate with the heartbeat of celebration.

The faces of the guards, once stern and resolute, were now lit with the joy of shared victory, their bonds strengthened by the trials they had faced together.

In a corner, Hamish and Wendy found themselves caught up in the revelry. When Cam tapped on his tankard of ale, calling for attention, the musicians quieted as did the clan. All eyes turned to him as he stood, a wide grin on his face. Jen sat to his right, smiling up at him.

"Tonight, we gather nae only to feast on the bounty before us but to honor those whose courage knows nae bounds. Hamish, you have proven time and again that you are the shield that guards our people when trouble strikes us. And Wendy, your wisdom and tenacity have made you one of our own."

The gathered clan applauded, and tankards were raised in their honor.

Cam raised his tankard high to match the assembled clan members.

"To the guards who banned together at Loch Finlaggan, fought the bandits and freed the kelpie from its bondage, your bravery lights our way.

Malcolm may still lurk in the shadows, but I say to him and all who would threaten our kin: we are vigilant, and justice will find its mark in the coming months. "

The words resonated like a battle cry, and the hall erupted into a joyous uproar.

Tankards clashed, and cheers filled the air as the celebration resumed with renewed vigor.

The musicians struck up another lively tune, and couples took to the dance floor once more, their movements a testament to the infectious spirit that now permeated the hall.

Amidst the revelry, Hamish and Wendy shared a glance, a silent acknowledgment of the trials they had faced and the triumph they now celebrated.

The bustling dining hall echoed with mirth and revelry as Catherine slid gracefully onto the bench next to Wendy.

A conspiratorial gleam sparkled in Catherine's eyes as she leaned in, her voice a low murmur of excitement amidst the lively chatter.

“Okay, I’ve heard the rumors, now I want to know what really happened.

Did you really talk to the kelpie? Both of them?

Did they offer to let you ride them? You know that’s what they’re saying right?

That the male kelpie was so taken with you he offered to marry you and let you ride him whenever you please with the promise of not drowning you.

” Her eyes twinkled as she shared the rumor.

Wendy laughed and shook her head while Hamish looked less than pleased. “No, that’s not what occurred.”

“That kelpie better nae have made such an offer, I’ve still got my iron blade, I’ve half a mind to track him down,” Hamish grumbled.

Giggling even more, Wendy told Catherine what actually took place.

“I’ve got of things to add to my notes too, about the kelpie.

Kier explained quite a lot about his species to me while we waited for Hamish and the guards to return.

I’ll probably need your help sorting it all before I put it into a book. ”

“Of course, I’m looking forward to seeing what all you learned.” Catherine raised her tankard high, the amber liquid catching the warm glow of the torches that lined the hall. "To the Kier the kelpie," she declared.

Wendy clinked her cup to Catherine’s and said, “To Kier,” before taking a sip.

As they sipped their drinks, others began to ask questions about the kelpies.

Wendy launched into her narrative, describing the sleek, otherworldly creature that had enchanted her. Catherine and the others listened with rapt attention, occasionally interjecting with exclamations of awe or gasps of suspense.

The night wore on, and as the firelight danced upon the stone walls, Wendy and Hamish shared stories and laughter with everyone until the wee hours of the morning when they once again made their way back to Wendy’s bedchamber.

Two weeks passed in the wake of the tumultuous events that unfolded at the edge of Loch Finlaggan.

The reports of drownings that had plagued the tranquil waters of the loch had ceased, bringing a tentative calm to the shores.

Kier, true to his word, had steered clear of any violent encounters, and he and his sister, Fionnuala, gracefully retreated to the solitude of the castle ruin overlooking the loch.

In the heart of Fort Donald, a sense of relief mingled with lingering tension.

Malcolm, the elusive instigator of chaos, had managed to elude the grasp of justice once again.

A handful of his surviving men, however, were not as fortunate, finding themselves locked in the Laird’s dungeon or driven from Scotland completely by Laird Colin Campbell’s guardsmen.

As peace settled around the fort, Hamish took Wendy for another picnic on the shores of Loch Ballygrant. The sun was bright in the sky and the air full of the scent of wildflowers. It was a perfect day.

“As beautiful as I believe our Islay to be, it doesnae hold a candle to you, love,” Hamish said, lifting Wendy’s hand to his lips.

“Oh Hamish.” Wendy blushed.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, but I’ve nae found an easy way to say it, so I’m jest goin’ ta ask,” Hamish began.

Wendy looked at him and noticed his face was slightly flushed and he seemed nervous. “What is it, Hamish?”

He took a breath and then blew it out noisily.

“Will you marry me, love? I want to spend my future with you and have a family with you and hear all your crazy ideas about the Fae and about what bizarre things took place in your world before you came here. You’re loving and kind and a beautiful soul and I cannae live without you, Wendy, love, so please say you’ll marry me. ”

Tears of joy filled Wendy’s eyes as she nodded.

She’d never heard Hamish ramble so much in her life.

That was usually her thing, and it made her want to giggle that he’d done it in his proposal to her, but she didn’t want to upset him so instead she threw her arms around him and said, “Yes, Hamish, yes I’ll marry you and give you tons and tons of babies.

And tell you wonderful stories about America and share everything I learn about the Fae.

And I can’t live without you either and I love you forever and ever, so yes, I’ll marry you. ”

Gathering her close, Hamish laughed. He picked her up and swirled her around in his arms, causing Wendy to break out in joyful laughter too. Finally she was going to get her wish. She was going to be Hamish’s wife.

He set her on her feet and kissed her breathless. “A month from now, you’ll be Mrs. Hamish MacDonald.”

“I love the sound of that,” Wendy said with a grin.

And then stunned disbelief set in. “Wait a month? There’s so much to do, I have to go tell the girls, there’s so much to plan…

” She spun out of his arms and started running toward her horse, but Hamish, still laughing, caught her and carried her back to their picnic.

“All that can wait, lass, I promise t’will be easy to plan, let’s enjoy the moment together, just the two of us.” He smiled down at her and kissed her silly.

In that moment, Wendy couldn’t help be grateful for having him in her life. She loved him with her whole heart, and she’d marry him any time and any place. She didn’t need a bunch of planning, all she needed was him.

A month later, the morning of their wedding dawned with a gentle breeze that carried the scent of heather and the promise of a Highland celebration.

Wendy stood in front of the mirror dressed in a traditional Donald plaid gown.

Bridie had made it especially for her. The skirt was full and had several underskirts while the bodice was fitted and showed off her cleavage.

She was proud to be wearing the clan colors as she’d come to consider everyone in the clan her family.

“Let me braid your hair,” Jen said, taking the brush from the small table and running it through Wendy’s hair.

She started weaving strands together, as Catherine adorned each twined section with a wild flower. Mae was busy tying a ribbon around a bouquet of wild flowers for her to carry in the ceremony.

“You look fabulous,” Catherine said once they finished.

“Like a proper Highland bride,” Annabelle added with a smile.

“Do you think so?” Wendy questioned.

“Absolutely,” Mae said with a nod.

“Hamish is going to weep at the sight of you,” Jen teased.

They all giggled.

“Come on, we better get you out there,” Catherine declared, guiding her toward the door.

Under the sprawling canopy of ancient trees near the shore of Loch Ballygrant, Hamish and Wendy exchanged vows.

A rustic altar adorned with wildflowers and heather framed the couple, while the sounds of nature provided a harmonious backdrop to the sacred promises they uttered.

As Hamish slipped the ring he’d made for her onto her finger, the clan shouted out well wishes and applauded.

Following the ceremony, the celebration continued in the meadow where she and Hamish often picnicked.

Tables had been brought down the hill and adorned with tartan runners.

They were laden with an abundance of delicacies – roasted meats, savory pies, and an array of desserts.

Barrels of whisky and ale stood ready to quench the thirst of the merry celebrants.

Amidst the revelry, Jen hugged her. “Welcome to the family, officially, Wendy.” She smiled.

Wendy’s heart was so filled with joy she nearly burst into tears. “I am so glad Dub Sith brought me here. He gave me a second chance at life, and I could not imagine a better place, a better way to live it than here with you all.”

The festivities continued into the night, the flames of torches casting a warm glow on the jubilant faces.

Traditional Scottish dances echoed through the air, with Wendy and Hamish joining in on the celebratory reel that symbolized their union.

She’d never danced so much in her life, and to do so barefoot in the highland grass with the man she loved more than life itself was a dream beyond any dream she could imagine.

A little while later, as Wendy took a moment to catch her breath, she looked toward the shores of Loch Ballygrant and was stunned. She curled her fingers around Hamish's strong arm guiding his attention toward the shore. "Come look. You won't believe it."

Standing on the shore in the moonlight— two magnificent horses, one as black as the midnight sky, the other a radiant white, stood watching the festivities. Their eyes, gleaming with an otherworldly intelligence, held a depth of understanding that transcended mere equine comprehension.

Hamish, his gaze fixed upon the horses, shook his head with wonder. "How did they know?" he asked.

"They’re magic," she said as she raised her hand in greeting and gave them a wide smile.

There was a recognition, an unspoken acknowledgment that stretched across realms – a connection between the mortal and the mystical that only those who had walked the threshold of the extraordinary could comprehend.

As Wendy and Hamish stood together, hand in hand, a quiet understanding passed between them.

With a bounce of their heads, the kelpies turned and splashed back into the loch and Wendy felt a sense of peace and blessings wash over her and Hamish.

The fact that they’d shown up to wish them well meant the world to her and she knew without a doubt that they’d have a bright future together.

Wendy and Hamish returned to their family, hand in hand, hearts entwined.