Ailsa (A Medieval/Renaissance Romance)

Chapter 11

Hey all! I'm so sorry it's been so long between updates! Life has been crazy these past months, and I got to a point where I couldn't just pick it up and write; I had to have time to re-read it a bunch of times to get back in the "groove". But I was finally able to do that :) and now I'm trying to finish it up as soon as possible so I can get it published as an eBook!! I'll be posting a couple more chapters here, then I'll post the link to the published location when it's done. It'll have the end of the story as well as an edited and polished (and possibly expanded!) version of the rest of the story. 

Thanks for reading! If you like it, don't forget to vote and comment! ;)  

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Chapter 11

The next morning came much faster than Ailsa expected. Before she had even opened her eyes, several servants and Irene were bustling in and out of her room making preparations. Her curtain was thrown back and Irene's cheerful “good morning!” snapped her out of her slumber. Her face breaking into a smile, she pulled back the covers and slid out of bed.

Today she was getting married.

But before her main preparations could begin, there was a tradition that had to be upheld. Irene helped her into her green dress and smoothed her hair and led her to the door of the castle. “The creelin' has begun! How long will ye make him carry it?” Clyde bellowed as she arrived.

Ailsa grinned. She had seen this tradition before. Before the wedding, the groom had to carry a large basket of rocks on his back from one end of the town to the other. She would only be allowed to stop when his intended bride ran out and kissed him. She could see a group of people at the far end of the clan's little town; they were walking next to Arthur. It was not long before he came into view.

Ailsa giggled. It was obvious that the other men had filled the basket quite high, and Arthur was struggling a bit to carry it and keep it balanced. She whispered in Irene's ear, “How long do I make him carry it? Shall I rescue him?” Irene chuckled. “Nay, let him reach the castle first. Then ye may rescue him if ye like; or ye may have some fun and make him carry it across the town again!”

Soon Arthur was puffing up the road to the castle, amidst cheers from the people surrounding him. He reached the door of the castle, his muscles straining. He was wearing no shirt, and Ailsa swallowed hard as she saw his muscular chest heaving. She banished carnal thoughts from her mind and stepped towards him.

“Aye, ye have done a good job carrying that wee basket of stones.” Arthur's expression was priceless. “Wee basket, ye say? Would ye like to try carrying it for a bit?” Ailsa crossed her arms and forced herself to look very stern. “That's a fine attitude to throw at yer wife to be, Mr. Mctaggart. I have a mind to make ye do it all again!”

Arthur looked a bit shocked, but nodded. “Aye m'lady, ye shall have what ye please.” He slowly turned around and started down the road again. Laughing, Ailsa ran up to him and kissed his cheek. Growling, he dropped the rocks, picked her up, and twirled her around amidst her squeals.

“Compared to those rocks, you're as light as air!” he chuckled. He slowed his twirling and kissed her. Ailsa's heart melted and she kissed him back. The hoots and hollers of the crowd brought them back, and she blushed.

“Stop yer kissin', there will be lots of time for that later! It's time for ye both to get ready!” Irene ushered them into the castle, where they were each led to separate quarters. They smiled at each other as they turned their separate ways.

Soon Ailsa was in a wooden tub filled with hot water and soap. Fragrant oils, reserved for the most important of occasions, were rubbed into her skin by the servants. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply; she had not smelled such glorious scents since she was a little girl.

After her bath she was positively glowing. She was led to a chair and the process of drying and arranging her hair began. Her hair was very long, so it was not a quick process. She giggled as Irene swore while trying to pin an uncooperative strand of hair into place.

Hours later, she stood in the middle of the room, an image of perfection. She gasped as she looked into the tall mirror. Irene stood behind her and smiled. “Ye are beautiful, my dear. Authur is a very lucky man indeed to have such an angel as his bride.”

Tears filled Ailsa's eyes as she hugged the woman who had so quickly become like a mother to her. Irene hugged her back tightly, then pulled back and grinned.

“Lassie, the sun's almost at the noonday position. It's time.”

Arthur and the rest of the men waited at the water's edge with the priest. He couldn't believe how nervous he was; he was only getting married after all. He had faced wars with less trepidation. He wore a new kilt and a crisp white shirt; his hair was trimmed neatly and his face clean shaven.

Clyde clapped him on the back. “Yer a lucky man, my boy! And ye look verrah handsome indeed! Ye do me proud.” Arthur smiled, but before he could answer he heard the music start to play, signalling the arrival of the bride. Swallowing hard, he turned toward path leading from the castle.

A group of women were walking towards them, and the minstrels walked on either side. He couldn't see Ailsa; she was behind them. Then, as they grew closer, the two women in front stepped aside to reveal his bride.

His breath caught in his throat; she really looked like an angel. She wore a long, white gown with yellow embroidery up the bodice. Her long hair was arranged into long, twisted braids that had flowers and yellow ribbon woven into them. She wore the necklace set that his mother had given her.

She looked like a queen- his queen. And he couldn't take his eyes off of her.

Before he knew it, she was standing next to him and the priest was saying the words. He barely realized that he was making his vows; all he could see was her smile. Clyde had to kick him when the priest pronounced them man and wife and it was time to kiss her. He pulled her to him and kissed her passionately, much to the crowd's delight. He picked her up, making her squeal, and led the way back to the castle's courtyard for the feast and dancing.

Soon the merriment had begun. Ailsa and Arthur were led to the head table, where they sat with Clyde and Irene on either side. But the music was so lively that they couldn't just sit; Ailsa grabbed Arthur's hand and led him to the middle of the yard which had been left open for dancing. The fiddles and drums kept the pace lively. They danced for a long time, laughing and smiling with the rest of the townsfolk. Even Clyde and Irene danced for a while.

Ailsa couldn't resist. She ran over to the musicians and whispered in one of the fiddler's ears, who grinned and handed her the instrument. She played a lively tune, which the other musicians soon picked up and played with her. Everyone clapped and cheered as she started dancing as she played. She twirled and stepped with the music, her face a picture of absolute delight. When she was done, she sang an ancient lively song with a few other singers. Arthur even jumped in for a while.

By the time the meal was ready, everyone was famished. Huge platters of food were served, and everyone feasted for several hours. Ailsa and Arthur went back to their seats and filled their plates with mutton, roasted potatoes, root vegetables, fish, and many other scrumptious foods. But they were so happy they barely touched any of it. They just kept smiling at each other and holding hands, and thanks to the constant instruction of the crowd, they kissed often.

Soon the sun began to go down. Clyde stood up and motioned for silence. “Today is a very happy day! My son has found a beautiful bride who will put up with him like Irene puts up with me!” Laughter and guffaws ensued. “But now it's time for them to leave us. Ailsa and Arthur, ye are now free to go to yer quarters.” Hoots and hollers followed them as they walked up to the castle doors. Ailsa's face was bright red. Arthur grabbed her hand and smiled.

They were married.