Kahleena MacCarthy ~ To Meet a Highlander (15 page)

             
Tsarina had decided she wished to marry during the Samhain celebrations, explaining that it seemed fitting since it was when she had first arrived.

****

              Tsarina fought her tears as she climbed down the stairs on Niall’s arm. He was escorting her to her soon to be husband. If only her father and mother were here with her. If only her soon to be husband was Zarik.

             
Honestly, that wasn’t even the reason for the tears that threatened escape from her eyes. She was going to be married. To Tor. He was a nice man. Honorable and honest. And patient. However, she’d been longing for Zarik and now saw the error or her stubbornness. She’d been told for years that one day this stubborn part of her, the one she thought made her better, would cost her a loved one. It had finally come to be. Her unwillingness to go after him, to beg him to not leave – he would never be hers now.

             
Zarik hadn’t visited nor sent word since his departure. No one knew where he was, who he was with, or even if he was still alive.

             
Tsarina allowed herself to be led out the keep doors, down the stairs and over by the fire. Everyone was already celebrating Samhain.

             
Silence began as she entered the circle that had been formed. As Niall placed her hand in Tor’s, Tsarina took a deep breath and swore she wouldn’t cry.
I will be happy. I won’t cry. This is a good thing. I won’t think about Zarik. It will all work out. It's how it was meant to be.
Her thoughts were so loud in her head that she hoped she wouldn’t repeat them as her vows, fitting as they may be.

             
“Ye look beautiful, lass.” Tor leaned down and whispered in her ear.

             
The ceremony had just started as the wind picked up. It was blowing everything around and caused Tor to grip her arm more firmly. Huge bolts of lightning were hitting not too far from where they stood. Lightning like Tsarina had never seen. The bolts seemed to go from all the way in the sky, as high as you could see, all the way to the ground. Thunder crashed. People jumped and children cried in fear of the storm.

             
It sounded muffled, even though Tor was right next to her, when he told them to proceed with the ceremony since Argus claimed all would be fine.

****

Current time

             
As Trystan and Galen approached the Standing Stones, he became unsure of what Galen was even thinking. Surely Tsarina wouldn’t be out in the dark, in the middle of nowhere, staring at a bunch of huge rocks.

             
They drew closer to the stones and Trystan would swear he heard chanting and saw flickers of light. As they rounded a stone, he was finally able to see a circle of women in robes and candles.

             
“What the fuck?” Trystan thought he was in an episode of the Twilight Zone that had gone severely wrong. “Where did you bring me and who are those crazy people?”

             
“Aye. But just wait. They're the druids.” Galen sent him a smile that was almost evil looking.

             
“Galen, you’ve returned, lad.” Trystan saw a short body approach.

             
“I have. This is Tsarina’s brother, Trystan. He’d like to go to her.”

             
“Lad, you know I can’t do that.”

             
“Why not? You sent her.”

             
“Yes, that I did. But she was needed and you assisted in getting her there.”

             
At the murderous look that Galen was now getting from Trystan he hurried to say something. “Trystan, I promise you it’s not what you think. Believe me, you have no idea.”

             
“You’ve told him, or you haven’t?” The small woman asked again. She sounded really old, but Trystan couldn’t see her face to be sure.

             
“No, I’ve just told him he’d not believe the truth no matter how many times I told him.”

             
“Druids are real?” Trystan asked in disbelief. “Magic. It's not real. Can't really happen.”

             
The woman’s laugh broke through the chill of the night air, sounding even colder.

             
“Trystan, do you truly wish to see your sister?” The old woman asked.

             
“I do.”

             
“Then your desire to see her must be you’re guide. Know that if your will isn't strong enough, many things can go wrong.”

             
Trystan nodded.

             
“Are you positive you want to do this? Do you leave anyone behind that can’t manage without you?” Galen asked.

             
“You make it sound as though she’s going to cut my heart out.” Trystan laughed.

             
“No, she’ll not do that. But you may never see this time again. I don't know if there's a way to get back.”

             
Trystan gave Galen a crazy look. “Enough talk. I want to see my sister. Take me to her.”

             
Pushing Trystan and Galen into the center of their circle, the women began chanting, swaying and making movements with their candles.

             
“Remember, lad, your will must be strong to find your sister.” It was the last words Trystan remembered before feeling as though he would throw up.

Chapter 9

1650’s Scotland

             
Trystan opened his eyes and realized he had a screaming headache. “What the fuck just happened, Galen? You fucking asshole.” As he went to sit up, he saw a sword pointed at his neck. Looking over he saw Galen sitting on his knees with one at his throat as well.

             
“I’d just sit still, Trystan.” Galen sounded remarkably calm.

             
“Why in the hell are you so calm?”

             
“Well, you’re sister’s in this time somewhere.” Galen shrugged. “I never said it'd be all peaceful and pleasant to find her. Now did I?”

             
“His sister?” The man with the sword to Galen’s throat spoke.

             
“Yes, his sister is Tsarina. I’d bet my best kilt that you know of her.” Galen tried to move back slightly, as the sword got closer to his throat when he mentioned her name. “We mean her no harm. I’m almost positive someone here was expecting her. We’ve just come to see that she’s safe.”

             
“I want to see my sister. She left with no word.” Trystan knew he had to hold his control. There was no way he’d win with no weapon. Even if he had one, he wasn't sure he'd manage.

             
“Drostan? Caelan?” Tsarina’s voice was panicked.

             
“Tsarina, stop!” Tor wasn’t sounding any happier. “Let them see what is about. Stay over here. “ He knew the one man sounded Scot, but it was a strange sound to his talk. The other, sounded much as Tsarina had when she arrived.

             
Not listening, Tsarina pushed her way past several other warriors and tried squirming her way around Caelan. “What? Remove that sword this minute. Both of you.” Tsarina was almost shrieking.

             
“Nay, lass. Ye ken I cannae do that. We dinnae ken who they are.” Caelan kept the sword at Trystan’s throat. “They just seemed to appear.”

             
“Appear? Yes, kind of like I did. Or have you forgotten? Good God! Caelan, that’s my brother. The other is Galen, the guide who helped me around Scotland in my time. He’s actually part of the reason I got here.” Tsarina flung her arms up in annoyance. “Now remove your damn swords. Now!”

             
With a shrug, Drostan and Caelan placed their swords back at their sides.

             
“Ye take orders from wee lassies now do ye?” Tor was clearly angry.

             
“Thank you.” Tsarina spared a glance to both of them. “And what are the two of you doing here. And how did you get here. I mean, you two didn’t…”

             
“No!” Galen cut her off as he noticed a blush rising in her cheeks. “I’m not certain how it worked. The old witch told us we just both had to really want to be here and mean it. And here we are.”

             
“So why
are
you both here?” Tsarina wasn’t sure how to act. She was too shocked by their appearance. She thought she’d never seen anyone else from her time again.

             
“I was looking for you. Galen said I’d never believe where you were and he’s pretty right. What is this? Is it really another time with all these guys wearing skirts?” Trystan shook his head as if he could clear out some cobwebs and be back in his normal surroundings. “Maybe this is a dream and I’ll wake up soon. Football concussion. That’s it. I got knocked out during a game.”

             
“Trystan, you always tried to have a logical reason for everything. I’m afraid there isn’t one for this. Anyway, now you found me.”

             
“You need to come back with us.” Trystan stood slowly, carefully eyeing all the large men around him that were all very heavily armed.

             
“She’s no going anywhere.” Tor spoke up finally and pulled her behind him.

             
“You don’t need to protect me from my brother, Tor.” Tsarina shrugged out of his grip and went back toward her brother. “But, I’m not going to go anywhere. He's right. As a matter of fact, you’re just in time for a wedding.”

             
“Who’s getting married?” Galen asked but then looked at her clothing. “You’re marrying Zarik?”
              “No, I’m marrying Tor.”

             
“But the old witch said…”

             
Tsarina cut Galen off. “What the old witch said doesn’t matter. Things have a way of happening the way they see fit to. Sometimes we’re not always right. Anyway, I’m marrying Tor and you both can stay and celebrate with us. It’s nice to have my brother here.” Tsarina smiled while tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Tears of happiness, tears of sadness. Both, right at the edge. “Now, come on. Let’s get back to the wedding.”

             
“We’ll be talking about Zarik, Tsarina.” Galen said as he followed her back to where other clan members were waiting on everyone.

             
“No, we won’t. There’s nothing to talk about.” Tsarina walked back over to the place her and Tor had started their ceremony. The sky was now clear again and the sun was bright.

             
“We can resume now.” Tor told the priest.

             
Clearing his throat, the short and pudgy priest began from the beginning. “Ceud mìle fàilte! (One hundred thousand welcomes!) The MacKinnon wishes to say something before we go further.”

             
Niall stood, reaching out to grasp both Tor and Tsarina by a hand. “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.  If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. So let it be! A huile la sona dhuibh's gun la idir dona dhuibh!” (May all your days be happy ones!) Niall released his son and soon to be daughter and went back over to his seat. With a nod from him, the priest resumed the ceremony.

             
Galen, interested in trying to keep their mouths shut as the priest continued the ceremony, shook his head toward Trystan. Upon hearing the priest ask if there were any objections to the wedding, something he hadn't realized they did back all those years before, his silence was no longer able to be controlled. "Aye. Aye, I do object to the two of them being married."

             
Hearing the gasps that surrounded them Trystan elbow Galen in the ribs, although he was happy Galen had the nerve to speak up when he had not. Although he did question Galen's sanity. These men appeared to be savages. But, this is his sister. According to everything Trystan had been told from Galen about the witch and how Tsarina had gotten here, his sister was about to create a huge mistake. Would her marrying the wrong man truly alter history? And, if it did, would it really be so devastating? Several days ago he never believed in time travel. But now that he knew time travel existed he found that he wondered what else existed that he never thought did. Would his sister alter history by not marrying Zarik? How were they even able to pluck someone from one time and place them in another? Wouldn't that alter things as well?

             
Niall gave both Trystan and Galen a look that could kill. Tor, if it can even be believed to be possible, looked even more furious.

             
The priest was the first to speak. “Are ye certain there, laddie?" The priest, clearly uncomfortable, was likely anticipating a murder or two rather than a wedding ceremony at this point. Perhaps he'd be seeing to death rites this day.

             
"Aye, I am most certain. Tsarina is to marry Zarik. I know you may find it hard to believe, but we were told these centuries could be very important to both your future and ours. Powers greater than any of us have made it clear that they are to be married. Should we take the risk of trying to alter what is said to need be done?" Galen found that with each moment he spent here, the more brogue he adopted.

             
“Do you have a druid?" Trystan asked. “Perhaps if you do he would have some inkling of what we are speaking of. I know we sound insane, but I swear to you, it is the truth. I never believed it either so I can't blame you. But please listen to us. My sister does need to marry Zarik. Or at the least, needs to come home with me where she belongs."

             
"I cannae allow her to leave. She will marry me, it has been planned. My brother, the man you speak of that she is to marry, has all but ignored her. There is no future for them as he has proven over and over again. He's not even here. He left. What love does that show him to have for her? Your sister has been patient here for over a year. It is time for her to move on and become secure in the life that she could have. She no longer belongs in yer time. We do have a druid and he predicted this to my brother. He first convinced our father, Niall. For years we did not believe either one of them. We thought them both to be crazy auld men. In any case what's done is done; we would like the priest to continue."

             
"Tsarina, are you certain this is what you really want? You could go back with us. Or we can try to fix this with Zarik so that nothing in time is altered." Trystan was trying hard to get his sister to speak up for herself. She didn´t look excited for this wedding, she looked as though she were out of options. Giving up. If the stupid man she was sent here to marry, that would take her from him, was too dumb to want her, then she belonged home with him. They only had each other. What would they do in two different times?

             
"Trystan, I can't even begin to tell you how much I missed you." Tears began to run down Tsarina´s face. "However, after the time I´ve spend here, I've grown to love these people too. I have learned to enjoy their way of life. I have a huge family here, and you know it's something I've always wanted. Look at how they all come together for the wedding. Even though Tor's father disagreed with us marrying, he is still here in full support. Where is our family, Trystan? Please don't make me have to choose between you and them."

             
Trystan hated seeing his sister in distress and you could tell Galen did as well. But did she know what she was getting herself into? “In fairness, you can’t blame our parents for their death. And, you are in a different era. I’m not sure how I’d explain to your wedding guest list what was happening and how they got here. Tsarina, come home, please." Trystan would beg if he had to.

             
"Nay, she must not come home. She does belong here, Trystan, and ye ken it." Galen spoke as he shook his head. He really didn't know what the answer was. Did she come back with them? Would anyone even help any of them get back if they were going to take her with? Did she marry Tor? Did they convince him that she needed to marry Zarik? Was there any hope for her happiness?

             
"My place is here, Trystan. Galen is correct. Maybe the old witch was incorrect. Perhaps she saw what was to happen incorrectly. Or perhaps she only saw part of it. Maybe she saw that I was to marry one of the brothers and simply mentioned the wrong one. Just sit down and enjoy the ceremony and the feast afterward while Tor and I get married."

             
"Priest, please do continue. We promise there'll be no further interruptions." Tor smiled as he placed Tsarina´s hand back into his own. He loved how her hand felt in his, so small, so soft. It was the opposite of his own very large and rough one.

             
As the priest started to speak, a loud scream pierced the silence.

             
Realizing it to be a battle cry, with a curse under his breath, Tor grabbed Tsarina and thrust her toward Argus and several of the younger warriors. “Keep her safe.” He spoke urgently as he freed his sword from his side.

             
With a battle cry of their own, the MacKinnon’s best warriors went to see who would dare attack on such a day.

             
Running alongside Tor, Drostan couldn’t help the thoughts that plagued his mind. How would they survive a battle without Zarik? He spared a glance toward Caelan and saw the same look on his face. Shrugging off the skeptical feeling, Drostan plunged into battle as the sound of metal striking metal took him over.

             
Galen and Trystan ran over to Tsarina´s side. They knew war was a very common occurrence in this time. However, they were not ready to experience the midst of battle themselves.

             
"Argus, you're the druid, right?" Galen asked, though he seemed to be able to sense it.

             
"Aye, lad that I am. But I know what ye wish to ask me, Galen. It is a request that I cannae grant. Ye ken she belongs here with us now. Look at her, even she knows this."

             
"My concern is not for Trystan and I, only for her. We'll stay and see the battle out. Would you leave her to die with this battle?" Galen asked as he held Trystan back. He was ready to grab his sister and run. Though where they would go he didn't have a clue.