"God has blessed us my friend. Since we first met, we've been gi'en the joy of good friendship, learned and fought as young men side by side. We were there fer each other when we lost oor fathers, both of us taking o'er as chief of oor clans. We fought foes t'gether and kept a peace fer us. Noo, here we are joining wi' ladies and setting course fer the next part of oor lives. Yet, oot of it all, I could'ne ask fer a better man tae call my friend, than ye, Grayson." "Ye as well, Garreth. I've always felt more like a brother tae ye, than just a friend. I've known since we were just wee bastards, we'd go through life together and learn what tae do and what not tae. No matter what, I always knew ye'd be there tae watch my back and I would always watch o'er yer's. Noo, we'll ha'e oor own families tae raise and watch o'er as well. Hoo will ye and Therese manage between here and France? Ha'e ye thought of that yet?" Grayson asked, wondering in part how it would affect their friendship.
"I've gi'en it some pondering, Grayson and here's what I think. See hoo nice it is noo in the season? It's no much worse than this in the winter, where Therese lives. When the season grows cold here, I can sail tae France wi' Therese and live in Trecesson. She's told me of beautiful places we can go riding and sailing to. When it gets too cold fer ye's here, ye'll ha'e tae join us and enjoy some time wi' us. I know Therese is fond of ye already, Grayson. She talks of ye like the brother she ne'er had. Ye know the bond Arabella and her ha'e already and she's told me how fond of Heather she is. They're together planning all this now and I'm just as happy they are. I'll do what I can tae make it look presentable, but ye've got tae put yer own part in as well. I'm getting the pipers tae play something just fer the occasion. I know ye'll want Gregor tae play as well, so we'll let them do something together. I'll ha'e fresh juniper put aboot the place and some heath as well. Do ye know what the MacDonnell's plant is, Grayson?" Garreth finished his long-winded answer and drew a breath.
Grayson laughed at him, seeing how involved he was getting, despite his objections to doing it earlier.
"Aye, it's the same as mine. So lots of healh tae make us happy then." Grayson chuckled out. "I'll be wearing my best on the day, as well. Bella has a new kilt being made fer me, as well as some fancy new shoes she's told me aboot. I'll be wearing my new belt and sash that I just ha'e made fer my new sword. The blades arrived from Germany three weeks past. They make a fine blade of good steel. I know one thing ye better make sure ye ha'e plenty of, is yer drink. I ha' e five casks of oors and five of yer's should be more than enough tae gi' each man a good taste of each." Grayson told Garreth of his own news, but glossed it over in an attempt to diffuse it.
"Blades? Ye bought more than one? Are ye fighting wi' two blades noo?" Garreth asked, picking up on the one thing that interested him the most out of what was said.
"Aye, I had two made. There's no sense in keeping it a secret from ye anymore. I had one made fer ye, Garreth. I was waiting fer a good moment tae gi' it tae ye and I can'ne think of a better one, than yer joining wi' Therese. The tanners are making ye a belt and sash as well. I think ye'll look grand in yer finest, wi' yer new sword at yer side." Grayson told him, a broad smile stretching across his face.
"Ye had a blade made fer me? When did ye put the order oot tae ha'e them made?" Garreth asked his friend, a smile growing on his face.
"Do ye remember when we were in Glasgow? We sailed up the Clyde tae see aboot they cannon. Do ye remember? I left ye fer a wee bit and took care of a few things and I went tae see the cutler and ordered them then. A rider came wi' them the day before Therese arrived. I've had tae keep ye from finding oot aboot them since then. Come Garreth, I hope ye like it." Grayson told him, as he led Garreth into the castle.
*************************
Argus finished off and took a deep breath. He looked at everyone sitting contently listening to him and smiled.
"There ye's go. Noo ye know why Braedon was coming back tae see Arabella. I'll take a seat if ye don't mind. Telling the tale can wear a body oot. I'm sure Stuart has a fair bit tae say noo aboot the joining, so I'll gi' ye's o'er tae him. Tom and Deb, ye'll finally get tae hear aboot the ceremony and how it was done noo." Argus told the couple, who's faces turned up a few notches in excitement upon hearing they would know what happened.
Stuart looked at Argus smiling, happy that he had learned to turn down the drama in how he told the history of what happened. He was still feeling anxious to know what Argus had to tell him and wondered what part of history he was waiting for to finally divulge it. He smiled to himself and figured he would know soon enough, when Argus felt he had reached the right point in time.
Taylor MacLeod spoke out before Stuart could start and asked him about something he had heard in Argus' telling.
"Stuart, Argus was saying that Grayson had a sword made fer Garreth. Has that sword survived?"
"Aye Taylor. It's oot in the hall. It's mounted behind Garreth's targe. My great-grandmother, Dame Flora, had the swords restored at the turn of the last century." Stuart told him, pointing to the area where they were hung.
Taylor excused himself and went into the hall to where Stuart had pointed. There between William's targe and Claymore and Rory Mor's targe and sword, was Garreth's sword behind his leather bound targe. He studied the filigree basket of the handle and the blade's craftsmanship, imagining Garreth wearing it on his day with Therese. Peter and Tom joined him shortly to admire the intricate weaving of metal to make the basket against the Claymore's shear might in steel.
"I think my arm would fall off trying to swing either of those swords in a battle." Taylor said to them.
"No kidding, look at the Claymore. It's huge. The thing must weigh a ton." Tom replied with his own opinion of them.
"I like how they weaved the metal like that and made the crest. They did amazing work. Too bad we can't have those to wear around today. I'd love to own a sword like that." Peter said, showing his admiration with exuberance.
"Takes a big man to wield a sword like that. Their arms must have been massive, having to swing these around the way they did. The closest I come, is swinging my tennis racket and that wears me out." Taylor said, laughing heartily and causing the others to join in.
The trio re-entered the dining hall again and quietly made their way to their seats, as Stuart was telling of how Dunvegan had been decorated in tartans and crests, as well as flowers that were blooming. Guests were arriving and soon the castle would be alive with the joy and celebration of the occasion.
