Argus could see the guests were getting restless, waiting for Stuart and Tavish to return. Dunking the last few bites of shortbread finger in his drink, he stood up and tapped his spoon against his glass. He got their attention, but looks of worried trepidation wore on their faces.
"Och, stop yer worrying. All the good bits are done, so I'll just tell ye's hoo Grayson came up wi' the idea tae pay homage tae Jacob Dornie. I swear there's no nasty, evil stuff in it. I promised, remember?"
A relieved look replaced the worry on the guests, as Argus took a sip of drink and started in.
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The pyre started to crumble, as the flames ate away at the wood. The congregation on shore were hit with a blast of heat, as the fire was condensed to a heap of burning logs. Gregor silenced his pipes, as Grayson and Sorley led Anne and Heather away. They helped the Ladies mount their horses and led them back along the shore, a group of people lighting the way with torches for them.
As they rounded the point and started along Duich's shores, Grayson stopped.
"What is it Grayson?" Anne asked him.
Grayson looked to her and then Heather and Sorley, before answering.
"I ha'e an idea tae pay the homage ye were wanting tae gi' tae Jacob, as well as increase the prosperity of yer lands."
Anne looked at him with a sense of wonder, at how this man before her had not only given her son and family a tribute of great honour, but was now telling her he could provide her with a way to give thanks to the man who had saved her life and that of her clan.
"What is it ye wish tae do, Grayson?"
"I had a thought gi'en tae me, after we were finished preparing...," Grayson left out what they had just done, "It was right here that it came tae me. A village, Anne. Right here on this shore where we stand noo. It'll increase yer prosperity, as well as help wi' defence. Ye can call it Dornie and gi' the man the honour ye wish tae show him."
Grayson stood looking at Anne after telling her, then to Heather. He waited for a response to what he had said, but only the most heart-felt smile came to Anne's face. She asked to be helped down and Sorley assisted her. She came to Grayson and stood before him, her admiration clearly showing in her eyes, even in the torch-lit darkness. She reached up and gently touched his cheek with the palm of her hand, her eyes once again welling with tears.
"Thank ye, Grayson." was all she said, before she hugged him tightly.
Grayson felt the happiness in himself swell, knowing her answer was given so lovingly. Heather asked to be helped down and she too hugged Grayson with deep affection.
"Let's get everyone back tae the castle noo. We can talk of it there." Grayson told them, still worried about MacRae having any men watching the area and having a chance of doing harm to them.
Anne and Heather took each of Grayson's arms and walked with him back to the castle. Sorley led both horses and stared at the man before him. For all his lack of contact with Grayson, he felt a deep sense of honour and pride in knowing him. He felt in his heart, he had met a man worth admiring, not just for the dedication to duty he had shown, but the true love of his people he openly displayed. Sorley felt a dire need to do whatever he could to assist in defending Donan and the MacDonnell's, but also the MacDonald's and their holdings as well.
The throng of people entered the grounds and soon broke up and went about their lives once more. The only difference now, was the closure and pride for their clan they held in their hearts again. Grayson led Anne and Heather into the hall and sat them down, while Sorley came in with his son Randal and joined them. They sat and talked of how big a village it should be and how it should be constructed. Grayson gave out all his ideas that he had imagined, allowing them to visualize it in their minds.
As the night wore on and the fires grew dim, everyone started to make their way to bed and much-needed sleep. Grayson, Robert, Sorley and Randal sat in the hall, still quaffing cups of ale together. It wasn't long, before the talk turned to the prior events that Sorley had faced. The telling of how the English had massacred his people on Rathlin Island and then of his son being beheaded, left Grayson and Robert feeling their trials in life were minor in comparison. Sorley brought Grayson up to date, with his sailing to Tioram and dropping off Therese with Arabella and Garreth, before they made their way to Donan. Grayson smiled to himself, knowing Garreth was out of danger and healing well. He also held a gladness in his heart, knowing how seeing Therese again, would make his heart fill with joy.
By the wee hours of the morning, they had created a bond of trust and respect for each other, that solidified their commitment to aid and assist each other in any way possible. A sense of family, beyond distant kinship, grew between them and as the first echoes of light appeared, they made their way to rooms and slept soundly. Grayson closed his eyes and only one thought remained in his mind. His love for Heather. He resolved to himself, that at the first moment it was possible to ask, he wanted to take Heather's hand in marriage. He knew in his heart and mind, his offer would be accepted by her and finally dwelt in the land of dreams, imagining themselves together.
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"Okay, that was'ne so bad noo, was it?" Argus asked them, after finishing.
