seven
I canna help me giddiness today. 'Tis me weddin' day! I'mna happy to be stuck inside all day, but having a day off from me chores makes up for it. Mum took over all me chores today. She said 'twould be bad luck, should Shawn happen to see me before our ceremonies began. Thus, she forced me to stay inside. Sigh. Mum isna taking any chances. Her Mum told her an old wives tale about the groom seeing his bride before they said their vows, and Mum believes it.
“'Tis bad luck,” Mum echoed her Mum's words. “Me Mum says, 'dunna let yer lad see ye or yer marriage'll be doomed, lass'. Should Shawn see ye, yer union will fall barren.” Looking at her, I arched an eyebrow in confusion, “Impotence, child!” Mum yelled. “Impotency will doom yer union! Dunna let that boy see ye 'til 'tis time!” Giggling, to meself, her rational between Shawn seeing me and us bearing children were no to do with each other. She did get her point across by mentioning traditions; well, it kept me inside all day as she requested.
When Mum returned from me chores, she braided me wild, red mane down the center of me back. The braid reminded me of me childhood fantasies. Braids were magical, worn by princesses waiting for a handsome prince or a knight – bold, brave and true – riding up on his gallant steed to carry her away.
As Mum braided me hair the magic of me childhood overtook me once again. This time, me Knight has come for me. Shawny loves me, and we'll live happily-ever-after. Just like the prince and his princess of me fantasy!
I daydreamed as me fantasies filled me head.
A rustling noise, outside the dugout, distracted me as the sound of a horse brought to a stop, pulled Mum and me to the entrance of our home. I jumped when I saw me sister causing Mum to grumble as me hair pulled from her fingertips. Cat wobbled through the curtain opening with Thor at her side, providing balance and support.
She's here!
She's glowing!
She's growing!
I jumped again, running to her, we wrapped our arms around each other only to discover how difficult hugging becomes when someone is expecting.
She looks healthy and happy. Her coppery hair hung long and wavy down her back and over her chest. Her skin took on a gentle, cream color that seemed to glow. A visible change took place within her over the last few months, only proving Da were right to send her away with Thor.
Mum grabbed hold of me, forcing me back into me seat on the tree stump that normally served as a table. She grumbled under her breath when she saw me braid would have to be taken down and started over. When I finally stopped bouncing around and sat still, Mum gave Catriona a hug then restarted the intricate plaits.
“Ye look wonderful!” Mum exclaimed. “Has bein' with him been good for ye?” Secretly, Mum hoped Cat came home to stay. Worry lines presented themselves on Mum's face, becoming deeper everyday Catriona lived in Atleah.
“Oh Mum, ye havena any idea,” Catriona's smile filled with life again. “I feel happier and healthier than ever and Thor's the man of me dreams. I wish ye could be there with us.” Her voice hinted some sadness when she mentioned the absence of our family, but her expression radiated excitement.
We talked about her new life and Thor, Thor and more Thor. Mum and me laughed, excited by her enthusiasm. We knew Da made the right decision sending her away. Catriona beautifully described her new home. Inside the walls of Atleah, an above ground castle, she finds it easier for an expectant mother to maneuver in and out of than the dugout. Cat also spoke of Thor's brothers and how wonderful they are, at least the brothers she has met. 'Tis hard to believe he has seven of them. Catriona told us how they come and go as they please and they're all nearly as big as Thor!
Her happiness is a relief to me. Receiving no word of her health or otherwise since she were gone made me anxious. At one point, I begged Shawn and Cain to help me find Atleah. I wanted to see Cat, but more than that, I wanted to make sure she were well-cared for. Neither of them would agree. 'Twould go against Da's 'She needs to find herself, by herself'.
I kept her well-being at the front of me mind when Thor took her to his home. “Tis what got me through the days and nights she were no here. Cat needs a man, such as him, and I persistently believed he needs her too. Every time she says his name her emerald eyes sparkle and a smile plays on her full lips.
As happy as I am for Catriona, now that I know she's well, I canna stop wondering what'll become of the bulge in her belly. She seems blissful, engulfed in Thor's castle lifestyle... But how does she feel about the babe?
Finishing me hair, Mum smoothed her beautiful, pasty-colored dress down her slender frame. Picking a few small, purple, meadow flowers Mum accented the dress delicately by putting them in her hair. The color scheme made her straight, brown hair, that freely flowed down her back, shine.
“I'm gonna let the others know ye'll be along soon,” Mum smiled, showing her pride in me. On her way out the door, she kissed Catriona and me each on the forehead. “Catriona, how about ye walk with yer sister? She missed ye terribly.” Even though Mum said it as a question, she meant it as a command. The warmth of me cheeks caused me to smile at the transparency of me feelings.
I stood, smoothing me cream-colored dress down me sides and around me narrow hips. Then, I helped Cat to her feet and smoothed her creamy dress over her belly to hang long and loose. The material of her dress is thicker, sturdier than mine. Judging by her attire and Thor's, his family has wealth, prestige, and most importantly status. Without status, others can take and do whatever they want to you. Taking in her appearance again, she looks noble. Staying with Thor and his family changed her in many ways I'm unaware of. She isna common no longer, as we are. She's much better off, thanks to Thor.
Shaking Catriona's new image from me thoughts, I concentrated on the more important – She looks wonderful! The green in her eyes were bright and full of life again while her coppery hair lays long and smooth against her pale skin. Her beauty were breathtaking.
Curious about the babe she carries, I debated rather I dare ask. As I finished smoothing her dress over her swollen belly I felt a little nudge from inside her and grinned ridiculously. A sigh of relief escaped me when she smiled back. Catriona is happier about the babe. Me stomach curled uneasily as I summed up the courage to learn her true feelings. Her simple smile spread warmth through me and chased me lingering doubts away.
Me sister's healed!
I owe Thor a big hug.
Mum avoided asking about the babe before she left. Perhaps that were why she left us alone. She knew I'd discover the truth.
I helped Catriona from the dugout. Looking back, 'tis the last time either of us will call it home. We've grown up and moved on to homes of our own with lads of our own. Out of our parents and on to places we'll be loved and adored in beginning new families. Almost, as if Catriona felt the same or carried the same thought, we giggled and started a slow walk to the clearing.
Me wedding'll begin soon, instead of rushing, we set a comfortable pace to catch up on our time spent apart. Catriona stopped me with one hand on me shoulder and the other on her belly. “Are ye well?” I asked in-a-rush, unsure what to do if she werena. It hit me then, how often I asked her that verra question and why she found such humor in it when Thor asked her after he found out about the attack.
Glowing with radiance, “I'm well. I want ye to know I'm happy and Thor's a good man. I dunna want ye worryin' so much,” still smiling she paused, looking at her stomach with more certainty in her emerald eyes than I've ever felt. Her hand rested on her belly rubbing small circles over the babe. “We're keepin' the babe.” Her whisper rasped as she beamed excitedly.
Yea! I thought, but stayed rational, “I dunna mean to upset ye,” I began before taking in her full expression, wondering if I would cross an invisible line by bringing up the past. “Ye fought against it so hard when ye told me of the babe, what changed yer mind?”
“Thor.” Like the day she introduced Cain and me to him, her voice dripped with honey. “I love him and it feels right kee
pin' it. We want the babe,” she grabbed me hand as we made our way to the Ceremonial clearing. Bowing her head shyly, she let out a giddy, little-girl laugh and asked, “Are ye ready to began the rest of yer life, Rhonnie?”
Before I could answer her, four British guards circled us. We had nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. From this side of the clearing, no one would hear our screams. The guards descended on us from every side. Catriona and me were forced to stand back-to-back facing them. When they abruptly halted, mere inches from us we were completely surrounded.