Ailsa (A Medieval/Renaissance Romance)

Chapter 12

 So here is part 12!! Thanks everyone for waiting so patiently inbetween chapters! I'm hoping to finish this up soon so I can publish it! Please see my profile for more info on what will happen to my stories when that happens. Don't worry, I won't be taking anything down from Wattpad! I wouldn't do that to my fans. 

This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful mother. Happy Mother's Day mom! Thanks for always encouraging me in my love of music and art! 

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Ailsa's heart beat like a drum as Arthur led her upstairs to their quarters. She was excited and terrified at the same time. What would it be like? Would he think her beautiful without her gown?

All too soon they stood in front of their door. Arthur smiled at her. “Are ye ready, my love?” Ailsa nodded. Arthur swept her effortlessly into his arms and carried her through the doorway.

Hours later, they lounged before the great hearth fire on a layer of furs. After their intimate evening, neither had bothered to dress again.

Arthur kissed her hand, his eyes showing his love for her. “Are ye happy? Did ye enjoy tonight?” He asked in a husky voice. Ailsa giggled. “Aye, I did. 'Though 'tis much more carnal than I'd thought! I kept thinking it must surely be a sin to enjoy it so much.” He laughed and stroked her soft cheek. “Nay, 'tis not a sin for a man and wife to enjoy each other's company. And I enjoyed yours very much. You're even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.”

Ailsa smacked his hand and gave him a stern look. “So, ye were imagining me with nae clothing on before we were wed, were ye? Aurthur McTaggart!” Arthur feigned innocence. “Nay, I only meant-” Ailsa cut him off. “I know full well, what ye meant, sir! But I suppose I must forgive ye.” With that, she leaned forward and kissed him passionately. He chuckled and rolled over on top of her.

Later, as they prepared to sleep, Arthur wrapped his arms around her under the covers of the large bed. “Are ye ready for our journey tomorrow? The ship leaves for the king's court in the morning.” Ailsa sighed. “Aye, I'm ready. I do wish there'd been another boat a few days later, though. “Twoud have been nice to have a few days to relax before we leave.”

Arthur kissed her ear. “Me too. But it's the last ship for many months; if we donnae go tomorrow, we'll have to wait a long time.”

He held her close. “It's not too late to change your mind if you'd rather not do this. I donnae wish to cause you any pain.” Ailsa snuggled a little closer to him. “It'll be hard, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I'm ready to see justice done. I'll never feel quite right until it's all settled.”

They spent that night in each other's arms, both wishing it would never end.

The next morning came much too quickly. By the time the sun had risen, they were already dressed and loading the cart with their belongings. After a quick meal, they and a few others began making their way to the landing, which was several miles away. It wasn't much, just a little fishing village with a long dock, but the big ships always stopped here to get supplies and to take on passengers.   

After a tearful farewell, they boarded the ship and got settled into their tiny cabin. Arthur surveyed their small bunk and grinned. “Well, looks like we'll have to stay real close on this trip!” Ailsa blushed and smacked his arm. “Arthur McTaggart! Is that the only thing on your mind now that we're wed?” His gaze became intense, and he held her close for a passionate kiss that took her breath away. “Nay, it's not the only thing I think about,” he murmured. “I often think of how lucky a man I am to have wed an angel.” Her face flushed again, and she smiled. “I do love seeing you smile, even if it often has a carnal cause!” She giggled as he tickled her.

The voyage was long and rough. She had never been on a large boat before, and she felt sick quite often. Arthur had been on ships before in his time as a soldier and was used to it, so he cared for her on the days that she was the most ill. But by the time they reached their destination, her stomach had become accustomed to it.

“Land ho!” The sentry called out one afternoon. “We're near the harbour! Start preparations fer landin'!” The ship became a frantic flurry of activity. Ailsa rushed to the bow with Arthur in tow, eager to see the shoreline. “Where's the capital, Arthur? How far is it?” He pointed a bit to the left. “When we reach the harbour, we'll head that way up a long road. We'll reach the castle before nightfall, I think.”

As they pulled up to the long dock, Ailsa pulled in a shaky breath. When they landed, her journey to confronting her father's murderer would truly begin. Arthur sensed her trepidation and grasped her hand. She squeezed it tightly.

When the boat landed, the sun was low in the sky. The hurriedly hired a cart and Arthur packed their belongings into the back. They sat on the bench next to the driver who skillfully manoeuvred the cart around other travellers on horseback or on foot.

They turned a corner and left the shade of the forest, and suddenly the castle was in view. Ailsa gasped. Edinburgh castle stood atop a large grassy hill, dominating the lush green landscape. The high walls and castle turrets were built with massive stones and seemed to defy would-be attackers with their strength. Long banners draped down the walls on either side of the enormous gate, which had a single entrance that crossed a large moat. Her eyes grew wide as they drove under the gate and entered the city, which was still bustling even as sunset quickly approached.

Their driver brought them through the crowded streets until they reached a small inn. They would stay the night here and then approach the king in the morning. Arthur tipped the driver, then carried their belongings into the inn where he arranged for a room. Before long they were settled into their small accommodations. But after their long sea voyage, even this small room was larger than their sea berth. And there was no rocking or seasickness, either.

Exhausted, they both fell onto the hard bed. Arthur groaned. “I'll be glad to sleep on a proper bed again. These rock hard beds are nae good for sleepin' or making love.” Despite her tired state, Ailsa couldn't help but giggle. “But it hasn't stopped you from doing either, so it can't be that bad!” He rolled his eyes and smiled. “You're lucky I'm too tired to tickle ye.”

The next morning they woke bright and early. Ailsa put on a lovely green silk gown that Irene had packed for her. It had sleeves puffed at the elbows and shoulders, a full skirt, and a stiff, intricate bodice covered with embroidery and beadwork. It was much fancier than anything she had ever worn before, and yet she knew from Irene's tales that it was plain compared to what she would see at the king's court. She pulled back her hair into a long braid and twisted it into a bun, then covered it with a yellow hair net which Irene said was very fashionable. The jewelry she had received for her wedding was the final touch. She felt strange; she wasn't used to such finery or such different styles. But she wanted to please the king.

Arthur wore the same clothes he had worn to their wedding. “I cannae stand the strange puffed trousers these modern men wear. 'Tis not normal!” he'd grumbled the night before. “Kilts are perfectly acceptable for a respected highland man.” Ailsa grinned. “I thought ye had been here before when ye were in his majesty's service.” He snorted. “Aye, and I refused to wear those frilly garment's then, too! Most of the solders did; most of us preferred our kilts or trousers. We weren't exactly in the king's court that much, anyways.”

“Arthur, how did ye come to leave his majesty's service? I thought soldiers had to serve for many years.” Ailsa finished putting the last pin in her hair and turned to face him as she spoke. He sighed. “When my brother died, I had already served most of my time, which was 4 years. After his death, my officer decided that I should go home a bit early, since I was now the only heir to the McTaggart clan.” He adjusted his jacket. “So I went home, and then left on my long journey. And then on my return trip, I met you.” He smiled as she blushed.

“Well, we should be off. There is sure to be others waiting to see his majesty, and the later we go the longer we'll likely have to wait.” He held out his hand. “M'lady, may I escort ye to the palace?”

Ailsa took in a deep breath and nodded. Today she would start actively seeking justice against her father's murderer and her captor.