Page 27 of Forging Her Destiny
They rode awaythe following morning with bright smiles on their faces. They reached the village in the afternoon. It was a small fishing village, filled with industrious people. The population wasn’t big, so people remembered Ian’s mother when he mentioned her name.
“Elspeth’s lad?” they would say, and then give Ian a look as though they had known him his entire life. “I remember her. A sad day it was when she left, but lasses always leave tae follow their hearts. Ye can never keep them at home,” a wise old man said. Lucy and Ian glanced at each other, knowing how true this was.
“Nae, ye cannae,” Ian replied.
“Is Elspeth with ye now?” the old man asked. Ian pursed his lips.
“I’m afraid nae. Disease got her some years ago,” he bowed his head. The old man nodded softly and put his hand out towards Ian’s shoulder.
“I am sorry tae hear that, lad. I’m sure she would be proud of ye, though. Ye look a strong lad, and ye hae certainly been blessed,” he glanced towards Lucy, smiled, and chuckled to himself. “I will drink tae Elspeth taenight,” he muttered to himself as he walked off.
This conversation was mirrored by everyone else he met. They all expressed sadness at hearing of Elspeth’s death. Ian had always hated to relive it, but somehow seeing people mourn for her and remember her softened the pain. He and Lucy were both welcomed like long-lost members of a family they hadn’t been aware of, and he realized that he had been mistaken for thinking that he had been alone all this time. He wasn’t the only one to remember Elspeth, and he did not need to be alone in his grief. He was here now and they all wished to know what had become of Elspeth after she had left. Ian had always focused on what he had lost, but these people were amazed at all that Elspeth had accomplished. It helped Ian to see his mother in a new light.
They were shown to a humble home that was empty, and told they could make of it whatever they wanted. When the people of the village learned that Ian was a blacksmith, he was inundated with requests for help. He left the equipment for the distillery in his cart for now, believing that all he needed was his hammer and Lucy.
They were simple folk, with simple buildings, but to Lucy it seemed like the perfect place in which to begin a new life.
And they were not going to waste any time. They found the local priest and asked him to perform a hand-fastening ceremony. The sun and the sky witnessed their vows. Lucy and Ian spoke from the heart, and their gazes never wavered from each other.
“My father paraded sae many men before me, naming their virtures taewards me because I was blind tae them. I dinnae need anyone tae tell me what yer virtues are, Ian. They hae revealed themselves the more I hae gotten tae know ye, and I’m quite certain there are some that are yet tae be discovered. I ran away from home, and it led me tae ye. My husband was sae close tae me all this time, and I dinnae need my father’s or anyone else’s approval,” she smiled widely as she spoke.
Ian cleared his throat. “I hae shared more emotion with ye than I hae with anyone else. I could gae on all day about how ye hae changed me. I was lost for a long time, and ye found me again. I dinnae realize how bad it hae gotten until ye came intae my life. Ye hae shown me that there can always be room for change, and room for hope. It’s incredible tae think what the future holds for us both.”
They were lost to each other, their souls now bound beyond the laws of men. They were inextricably linked, and not even the gods would have been able to part them. Lucy had brought the jewelry that Ian had left. Inside was a ring. She used this to signify her devotion to him. Then, to make their celebration with the village, they paid for everyone to drink well that night, endearing them to the local population. After this, they spent the night making love again before sitting outside together, nestled in each other’s arms, watching the sea lap against the shore. It was the most peaceful Lucy had ever felt, and she would take this over living in the keep any time.
The following morning, Lucy set about writing a letter to Rory, telling him that they were settled into a new place.
Dearest Rory,
I hope this letter finds you—and Ginger—well. Ian has insisted that I ask you about the forge first, so I feel as though I ought to get that out of the way, although I am sure that it is prospering in your capable hands. I want you to know that Ian and I are very happy here. The people are kind and humble, eager to share everything they have. In return, we have shared all we have as well. Ian has found himself in great demand to forge tools and other items. He seems to have rediscovered his roots. We married shortly after we arrived. I am sorry that we did not invite you, but as you can imagine, we wanted to make haste with the ceremony. Perhaps you have some idea of what I mean, if you have been dancing again, and I do hope you have Rory, because being in love is simply the most wonderful thing in the world.
When I ran away from home I did not intend to fling myself into the arms of a man. I believed I would remain alone for the foreseeable future, but I am glad this was not the case. Being with Ian has opened my eyes to the world and to myself. I hope you will forgive me for being sentimental, for my heart is still swimming with the elation of being able to declare that Ian is my husband, mine for all eternity, our hearts linked as one. I want you to remember one thing, Rory; that there is a life outside the forge. You are a kind boy, no, a kind man, and when you give your heart to someone she is going to be the most fortunate girl. And please give your heart to someone, because you, of all people, deserve love. And, if you have any doubt whether a girl is worthy of you, just watch how Ginger reacts to her.
I hope to see you soon, but please know that whatever happens, we are happy here.
With love, your friend,
Lucy MacKendrick
As she did so, she reflected on how far she had come and smiled. In the village, Lucy did not have much cause to write letters, so this was the first time she had written her new name. No longer was she a Glennrock, she was a MacKendrick, and it filled her heart with pride. She had been a noble woman, a thief, an intruder and many other things. Now, she was a wife, and she had a feeling that it wouldn’t be too long before she was a mother.
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