six
Come dusk Shawny and me'll be man and wife! 'Tis our wedding day! 'Tis hard to believe it's finally happening! Tonight we'll be sleeping in our own home, just the two of us, together at last!
Mum kept me inside all day. Me heart raced as I paced the floor of me parent's dugout. The wedding's only half me jitters. For the first time in months, I'll be seeing Cat! Against her wishes, Da sent her away with Thor. The British guards canna hurt her in Thor's castle, Atleah. Thor's home is on a piece of Ireland the British havena taken control of – Yet.
Catriona and Da fought endlessly... Thor gave Da his word Catriona'd be safe and well provided for, along with the bairn, should she choose to keep it. This, of course, came as a surprise to Mum and Da and Cain. Apparently, she neglected to tell everyone but me.
Thor told Da and Mum, if Cat decides against keeping the child, he knows a nice barren couple who havena been blessed with a babe of their own. To them, 'twould be a blessing.
“Catriona,” Da said, his voice stern, he doesna wish her to leave us either, “'tis time ye get over yer fear of life, lass. At some point, ye have to start livin' again. This man cares a great deal for ye. I can tell.” Da paused. I saw the glistening tears pooling under his green eyes. “In his homeland, ye willna be taunted by the British. I'm tryin' to do what's best for ye, lass.”
When the time came for Thor to take Catriona away she hid behind Cain. It broke Da's heart but, like he said, 'tis best for Catriona. “'Tis time for Catriona to re-find herself. The lot of us is standing in her way,” Da explained. “She needs to stop depending on us and start takin' care of herself.” I thought we were protecting her, but Da made it clear, I were wrong.
After Cain stepped aside, letting them drag Cat away, he vanished.
Seeing Catriona off that morning turned out to be one of the hardest things in me entire life. We cried while clenching each other tightly. Never being apart before made Cat and me realise the hardships in growing up. Thor lifted her onto his giant horse then climbed on behind her. Cain didna speak a word. Saying their farewells were harder for them, than it were for she and I.
I watched Thor and Catriona ride across the field. They exited at the far side of the clearing, where the woods surrounding our homeland opened into a narrow passage, the slim opening traders and other merchants use to access the Sturgeon clearing. Once they were outta sight, I leaned against Shawny who wrapped his arms around me waist from behind and rested his head on top of mine.
“I miss her already,” I stifled me cries into something that resembled hiccups.
“Aye, but Rhonnie, Da's right. 'Twill help her get better and ye'll see her again, sooner than ye think.” Shawn's voice were soothing next to me ear as he reassured me with his optimistic ways. Although, something were missing.
Looking around, Cat's gone.
Cain left.
Da and Mum slipped back into our home.
Shawny squeezed me tighter.