Stefan's Journey

Chapter 11

"Ye look beautiful."

Moira turned from the mirror and gazed with joy in her eyes at Kerri. "Ye really think so."

Kerri moved forward and took Moira's hands in hers. "I do Moira. Ye look beautiful today."

Moira's smile turned sad as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. "I just wish that my family is here. Róidh has gone in search of my siblings, but he hasn't found any of them. My parents refuse to come since the Gods are going to be in attendance."

"I have a surprise for ye Moira," Kerri said as she walked over and opened the door. Kerri poked her head out the door and waved at the people in the hallway. "Come on in."

A whole group of people walked in. Moira cried out in astonishment as she saw her siblings. Moira had her hands held up to her mouth as she looked in disbelief at her nine siblings. Róidh stepped aside and gave a gallant wave of his hand as he began introducing the people who walked through the door.

The first one through the door was a petite woman with white blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and unblemished skin. Her name was Aislinn. After her came a man who towered above Aislinn. His shoulders were broad and scars ran diagonally down the right side of his face. A lopsided grin and laugh lines countered the stern grey eyes while brown hair curled loosely about his ears. His name was Vaughan. The next man through the door was rather short and stocky with muscular arms and solid legs. A great beard curled down his chest and his russet colored hair was pulled back into a braid. Green eyes gazed steadily out of a face that was tanned from the sun. Dunn was his name and Dierdre came after him. Dierdre was tall and willowy with long black hair, pale features and hazel eyes that were filled with sorrow. Her face was narrow and pinched and she always looked on the verge of tears.

A jovial lithe young man came dancing through the door with a woman on his arm who was just as willowy as he was. Both of them had wheat colored hair and warm chocolate colored eyes. Mischief shown bright from their eyes as their mouths opened and laughter flowed easily from within them. Their names were Gwynne and Irving. The next sibling through the door was Driscoll. He was a mousy young man with a slight stature, rounded shoulders, and shrewd green eyes. A wild mop of curly blonde hair tumbled about his shoulders. His skin and parts of his hair were permanently stained with ink and his shoulders sloped inwards because of all the time he spent hunched over books. The last one through the door was a woman with bare arms and a hammer stuck in the belt at her waist. Unruly red hair was restrained with a leather thong and her sparkling blue eyes danced about the room. She was equal in height with Vaughan and just as strong. Her name was Raelin.

Moira laughed as she saw all of her siblings. She rushed forward and threw her arms around her brother Aislinn. Her picked her up and spun her around which made everyone laugh. Aislinn passed her off to Dunn and Moira laughed joyfully as she greeted all of her siblings.

"I can't believe ye found them all," Moira exclaimed as she spun around to face Kerri.

Kerri laughed joyfully. "I told ye we would find them. I am a Goddess after all."

Moira rushed forward and gave Kerri a big hug. "Thank ye," Moira said as she pulled back. "This means the world to me."

Kerri's face softened into a smile. She touched Moira's face. "This is my wedding present to ye. I know how much ye loved and missed your siblings."

Driscoll moved forward and inclined his head to Kerri. "In all our long years, ye are the first Goddess that we have met. We can never thank ye enough for bringing us all back together."

"We have watched your family since we cursed ye. I have to admit that us Gods were curious as to how ye children would turn out. Would ye be like your parents or would all of ye turn out like Moira?" Kerri paused to pass a loving look over the ten siblings. "I am glad to say that ye all turned out alright."

A knock came on the door and Branwyn stuck her head into the room. She blinked in surprise at all of the people. She finally found Moira and she focused her attention on her. "It's just about time Moira. If I can borrow you're siblings I can tell them what I want them to do on your wedding day."

Moira went to open her mouth, but mischievous Irving spoke up. "Do not worry about us Moira. We will stay with ye for awhile."

"That's not what I'm worried about Irving. I'm more worried about letting ye and Gwynne out of my sight."

Dunn spoke up and he slung an arm over Irving's shoulder making Irving stoop. "We'll look after these two. They won't wander far from my sight."

Branwyn clapped her hands and started ushering people out the door. "Alright there's a wedding to do. The Hunter clan can catch up after the wedding. Now let's go."

Moira laughed at the looks on her siblings faces. She wiggled her fingers at them as Branwyn ushered them out of the room. Kerri shook her head and laughed as Moira turned to her. Moira gave her a big hug.

"Thank ye," Moira said as she pulled back. "I'm surprised that ye found all of them."

Kerri laughed as she answered Moira. "It wasn't easy. Your siblings are good at hiding."

Moira grew solemn. "We learned how to hide, not only from the mortal world, but also from our parents. I was the only one who stayed with my parents."

"Why did ye stay with your parents?"

Moira shrugged at Kerri's question. "I guess I felt bad for them. I remember what they used to be like before they were cursed. I guess I always hoped that they would learn from their mistakes and change."

"The Gods gave your parents plenty of chances. They still decided to offend the Gods."

Moira shook her head sadly as she returned to gave at the mirror. She smoothed a hand down the front of her simple white dress. Moira's hands tugged at the sash of tartan cloth that stretched from her left hip to her right shoulder. Moira had to admit that her family plaid of deep reds and blues would go very well with Stefan's warm brown and hunter green plaid. Moira fingered her braided and styled hair before she turned to Kerri with a smile.

"I'm ready to go."

Kerri walked forward and embraced Moira. "Ye make a beautiful bride Moira."

Moira giggled as she linked arms with Kerri. "I hope that Branwyn is letting Vaughan know that as the eldest he must give me away."

Kerri waved a hand in the air as she spoke. "Branwyn has it all under control Moira. Vaughan has already spoken to Stefan about the bride price."

Moira looked at Kerri in surprise. "When did he do that?"

Kerri laughed joyfully as they entered the hallway. "You're siblings arrived late last night. That is why ye couldn't find Stefan. He was busy hashing out a bride price with your brothers.'

Moira shook her head. "I should have known."