Page 104 of The Refuge

“Nay. That is the name my father bestowed upon me. I have always loved it.”

“Then little cat you shall be.” He squeezed her hand, kissed her on the forehead, oblivious to the knowing smiles of those passing them as they held hands and continued down the path.

“What of Angus and Niall?” she asked, just realizing she had yet to speak to either about returning to the vale.

“I assumed you would want both to go with us so I asked if they would come.”

Her anxious gaze met his.

“They said yes; they will both make their homes in the vale.”

“Oh, I am glad!” she exclaimed.

“Niall wants to be near Wales to visit Rhodri, and both miss the vale as much as you do. Except for Niall, who used his time here to perfect his skill with the bow, I think neither is fond of life at court. And Angus has a fancy for your handmaiden. Did you know?”

“Nay. Deidre has been most secretive about who she steals away to see, but Angus is a fierce protector and I can see how she would respond to him. Mayhap she liked him before and I just did not see it.”

When they reached the village, the men and women greeted them with broad smiles. “’Tis one of the brides,” said one woman, waving from where she swept the short path leading to her cottage.

At the door of the orphans’ cottage, fair-haired Aeleva welcomed them. “All the women are picking flowers for the chapel and the hall.”

“Everyone knows they are invited?” Steinar asked.

“Aye, ’tis going to be a grand celebration. The women who were in Dunfermline ere I came say nothing like it has occurred since the king wed Lady Margaret.”

Happiness welled up inside Catrìona. She would share one of the most important days of her life with Fia and Audra, as well as the queen who meant so much to her.

“Is Giric here?” Steinar asked, peering around the side of the cottage at the now finished chicken pen. “We have something to tell him.” He squeezed Catrìona’s hand, sending tingling sensations through her.

“Let’s see,” said Aeleva, one fist braced on her generous hip. “After doing his chores, the boy skipped off. Said something about finding the two of you and flying the falcon.”

They thanked her, said they would see her at the wedding and went in search of Giric. They found him in the mews.

“There ye are!” said Giric, rushing to them.

Machar congratulated them on their betrothal and took Kessog from his perch. “Once the lad came, I thought you would be here soon,” he said to Catrìona. “Your tiercel is just ending his molt and is anxious to fly.”

Giric jumped up and down. “Oh, can we?”

Catrìona looked at Steinar and seeing him nod, she said, “Aye, we will fly him and we have something to ask you on our way to the field.”

When they told the boy of their desire to take him with them and raise him as their own, he stopped and stared, great tears falling from his eyes to run down his thin face. They crouched before him and he leapt into their open arms. “I had hoped ye would,” Giric said. “I even asked the queen if she would pray for me. And she did!”

The hours they spent with Giric in the meadow that day were ones Catrìona would always remember. The sky above was a brilliant blue, the grass a deep emerald green, the flowers yellow and white at the edge of the forest.

Kessog flew from the gauntlet, happy to be streaking through the air once again, searching out a mallard.

Steinar wrapped his arm around her shoulder and drew her close as Giric stood nearby watching the falcon.

“This is all I desire, little cat. You and the home we will make together.”

“’Twas my dream, too, even when I thought you only a scribe.” He slapped her bottom. She properly chided him, but she was secretly happy, remembering the time she had seen Malcolm do the same to his queen. Then thinking of her gift for him, she said, “I have something for you when we return to the tower.”

* * *

A feeling of exuberant joy seemed to permeate the very walls of the tower on the day of the wedding. Everyone’s face bore a smile. Catrìona’s work in the village had brought her many friends; Audra’s kindness garnered the people’s love; and Fia was admired for having snagged the bard all the women wanted, many saying the fairies must have aided Matad’s daughter.

When Catrìona told Fia of the rumors, she laughed. Rhodri, when he heard of it, vowed to compose an ode to the fairies that had helped him win his bride.