Highlander's Kiss

Chapter 11: Elyn

Elyn woke with a start. She threw herself upright and stared around the room, confused and upset that she didn't recognize her surroundings. She shook her head furiously and tried to rub the fog from her eyes. It was only on her second yawn that she remembered where she was and what the sunlight that morning meant. It was her wedding day.

She leapt from her bed and tossed the sheets on the floor in a crumpled heap. She snatched Katrine's hair pins off the bedside table and started dressing her hair up to match the day before. After, she cleaned herself as best as possible before slipping the gleaming emerald gown back on.

A knock on the door surprised her. She stared at the hard slats of wood. "Who is it?"

"We're here to help ye get ready for your wedding, Lady Maxwell."

Elyn sighed, not used to being helped with anything. She hadn't expected to be waited on. She stomped to the door and pulled it open, revealing the wide eyes of a servant.

"Lady! You've already dressed!" she gasped.

Elyn resisted rolling her eyes and waved her in. She shut the door behind the servant, who seemed apologetic.

"I'm so sorry to disturb ye! King Maxwell insisted I come down here and help ye."

Elyn froze up and shook her head. "It's fine, I was too excited to wait. Just... let's keep this between us. What's yer name?"

The woman nodded. "Moira."

"Moira," Elyn repeated, smiling immediately. The name of her mother. She wished she could share that with the servant, but she couldn't blow her cover. "That's a nice name."

Moira blushed and looked away. "It's good enough. Now let's see," she said. She tugged at Elyn's dress and tried to loosen it, and she gasped. "This fits perfectly, I canae believe it. And without taking any of your measurements, too!

Elyn turned crimson.

She shook her head. "Looks like you're already ready to go then. Ye look lovely."

Elyn nodded. "Thank ye." She bit her lip and turned away to look out the window over the unfamiliar highlands. She wished she was looking out from Eilean Donan, but she had to make due. It wasn't important where she was, after all. Only who she was going to be with. She laughed a little. "It's funny," she said, a bit of a twinkle in her eye. She wasn't talking to Moira so much as she was just reminding herself. "I didnae think I'd ever get married. Can ye believe that?"

Moira shook her head and smiled. "It's been a long time comin', waiting for yer marriage to Gavin. I hope he's a kind man... I've only heard bad things."

Elyn bristled and turned to Moira, her gaze narrowing. She furrowed her brow and shook her head. "I've only heard good things, and I donae know if it's proper for ye to be commenting on my husband-to-be." She channeled how she thought Katrine might speak to a servant, but the feelings were real.

Moira frowned and shut her eyes. "I'm sorry, yer right." She turned to leave. "I'll be going, it seems like ye have it under control."

Elyn frowned and called after her. "I'm sorry, lass, I'm nervous, is all."

Moira smiled. "That's normal, I felt the same way on me weddin' day." She paused, thinking. "Do ye want me to tidy up yer hair?"

Elyn nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "Aye, that'd be lovely."

After Moira finished braiding and decorating Elyn's hair, she stepped back and beamed. "Very well. I'll let ye get finished up, I'll see ye outside." She slipped out of the chamber and clicked the door shut.