Scottish Destiny

Epilogue

Epilogue

Scottish Highlands, June 1420

 

Castle McKenna

 

 

Grant paced around the great hall, it was just after midday meal and the hall was mostly deserted.   The children had all gone out to play in the courtyard, his Da and two brothers were still at the high table enjoying watching Grant pace.  Few clansmen hung around waiting with the rest of them to hear the good news.

He should be use to this now, this is the fourth time but it is never easy.   A knot was in his chest as he kept looking over at the bottom of the stairs leading to the chambers above.  His two nieces were keeping him posted with updates, but it's been awhile since he'd seen either one of them.

He shifted the dead weight in his arms from one shoulder to the other.   Sound asleep his youngest was, but he wouldn't be the youngest anymore.  Soon, there would be another McKenna born, and hopefully the last for him and Kathryn.

He looked over at his Da now, he was holding Ian and Jenny's youngest, a big smile upon his weathered face.  Another lass, Annabel, she was just over two summers old.    His Da, he was in his glory.    Surrounded by his grandchildren, this last one would make twelve in total.  And those were just at Castle McKenna.  He had another four at Castle Campbell.

Over the past years, many occurrences had happened at Castle McKenna.   The first visit from the newly widowed Lady Catriona proved to be her last visit.   Callum didn't make it through his second winter wasting away his life in the dungeons at Castle McGregor.   Once the spring came around, Gavin, Evelyn, Keely and Lady Catriona made their way for a long visit to the Highlands.

Lady Catriona was there to witness Grant and Kathryn's first bairn to be born that summer.   A lad they named James after King Jamie.   A missive was sent off immediately to King Jamie and before summer's end, the King had come to visit his namesake.    Wee James was presented with a dirk encrusted with rubies and emeralds.   A gift fit for only a King to give.

Love blossomed that summer as well and Lady Catriona now resides in her new home at Castle McKenna.  She is now Catriona McKenna.   Angus and Catriona were introduced, fell in love and married before Gavin, Evelyn and Keely left for home.   Gavin was saddened to know that his Mother wasn't returning with him and his family, but happy that she had finally found some happiness in her new life with Angus.

Angus treated her very well, once they married, he stepped down as Laird.   It was Andrew's time now to take over and lead the McKenna's.   Angus felt he held onto the position long enough.  Angus now wanted to spend time with his new wife without the worries of the clan. 

They wintered at home the first six months they were married.  When spring came, they journeyed throughout Scotland.   They travelled down to visit and spend time with and old friend, Archibald Ferguson.    Angus then took Catriona and they spent several months at court.  Somewhere Angus found out that his wife had never been too.   

After spending time at court and enjoying King Jamie's hospitality, they headed to Castle Campbell and spent several months there.  While they were there, they were blessed with the arrival of Robert and Elise's third son, Evan.  The Campbell's as well were pleased with the marriage between Angus and Catroina.  The clans had been friends for a long time but never had they seen Catriona as happy as she was now.

Their last stop was at Castle McGregor where Angus was able to meet Jamie, his wife Beth, their oldest son Graeme and their second son, Patrick.   They wintered there and then finally made their way back home.    The brothers, Gavin and Jamie, they never saw their Mother so happy and both of them knew that she was finally able to enjoy her life.