Highland Chieftain (Book 5)

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Cam charged through the forest. He was going to kill Kendrick when he found him. How could he do this to his sister? Had she not been through enough already? If Kendrick found this remotely humorous he was going to find how Clan MacKay was very much against that idea.

Giving his horse his head, he fell into a smooth rhythm that allowed him to check the surrounding area and still move quickly through the thick forest. Ducking low more than once, however, was a requirement to staying seated upon the back of his horse. A shout came up from his left. Recognising it as Iain, he reined in his horse, who sidestepped at the quick turn of events, before charging off in that direction. Easily leaping the fallen tree and splashing through the small stream before rounding a small outcropping of rocks.

Iain was off his horse and crouched down in front of a tree. Swinging from his horse before a full stop had been achieved, he ran the short distance to land on his knees beside Iain. Clasping Kendrick's shoulders in his hands, he practically shouted at his friend.

"Kendrick? Are you hurt? What happened?"

Kendrick pushed Cam's hands from his shoulders, his hand coming up to cradle his head. "Cam please stop shouting, I came off my horse and the next I know, I am looking up at his ugly mug and your voice is trying to pierce my skull." His hoarse whisper sounding like it was ripped from his throat.

"Stop shouting?" Cam growled, he had to push himself back to his feet. Wanting to smash something. "Stop shouting? Do you have any idea how long we have been looking for you? What my sister is currently going through?" He could see his words were working their way slowly into Kendrick's mind.

His mouth opened twice, seemed to work his tongue and tried to form words. "Larena..."

"Aye, Larena. What do you think you are playing at you fool?" Cam took some deep breaths to calm himself, turning in a circle for no reason other than he had to move.

Kendrick looked dazedly around for a moment, as if expecting to see Larena coming from between the trees. Reaching out blindly, he tried to stumble to his feet. Only for Cam to come to his own senses a little, pushing Kendrick back down.

"Sit still you fool." Rubbing his hands over his face, he quickly had to shove down on Kendrick's shoulders once more. "Stay still. Iain, where is Sheena?"

"But Larena..."Kendrick's voice was still a hoarse whisper, but his tone was a little clearer this time. "I have to get to Larena."

"Aye, you will when we have you fit to fight. Because I can guarantee that you will be in for the fight of your life for leaving my sister at the altar." He watched Kendrick shake his head, before wincing plainly.

"Nay, would never leave her so..." His gaze trailed off as did his speech which worried Cam even more. "Iain, Sheena?" He risked a glance over his shoulder, to find Iain a ways off, waving someone over. The thump of horse hooves releasing a tangled chain from Cam's chest. He swung back to Kendrick. "Sheena's here, she'll take a look at you and we'll get you back to Larena."

"Larena..."

"Aye, we'll get you back to her."

But Kendrick was trying once more to get up, and trying was a very loose word to use in this instance. "Larena..."

"Kendrick!" Cam swung back around at the feminine voice which echoed off the trees. His sister, glorious in her wedding attire, tumbled to her knees beside him, her hands already reaching for Kendrick. Fluttering over him, not quite touching, not quite knowing what to do for the best. So she turned large eyes upon him. Cam swallowed, his sister, whilst he had not always liked her, he always had loved her. Was looking at him for help, when he could not remember her doing so before. "Cam? What is wrong with him?"

Shaking himself free of his train of thought, he took her cool hand within his own. "He fell from his horse, more than that I do not know. Where is Sheena?"

Both turned once more at the crunch of the forest floor under booted feet. Which hurried towards them. "She is right here. Now will you two mind if I see to the man, then we can see to a wedding?"

Cam scrambled out of the way, pulling Larena up with him. That was the moment Kendrick seemed to realise who was around him, reaching out and catching hold of Larena's other hand as Cam pulled her away. Catching her between them, yet with the love he saw shining in both sets of eyes, Cam was the one to release his sister for her to fall once more beside Kendrick, as Sheena knelt before him.

"If you insist on staying close, be useful, hold his hand and talk to him. This may hurt him a little." Sheena was full of business as she reached out to feel Kendrick's head.

Kendrick on the other hand kept his gaze and attention on Larena. His eyes roving over her again and again. Her beauty shining through, no matter the dirt which now marred the dress where she had fallen to her knees out of worry for him. He had never been happier to be alive than this moment. No matter the pain pounding through his head or the fact Sheena was torturing the knots on his skull with her fingers. All he knew was Larena and that fact she had believed in them enough to know that he had not tried to get out of marrying her.

Her worried gaze kept flickering from his face, to Sheena's hands, to Sheena herself. Her fingers flexing and tightening around his fingers. Fingers he picked up and placed a kiss against, just as Sheena pressed particularly hard on a large contusion. A wince making its way across his face unbidden.

"Hmmm..."

Larena's eyes were sharp on the other woman. "Hmm...what does that mean?"

Sheena's eyes were dancing. "It means your husband to be has a hard head." Her lips kicked up at the corners, before she turned Kendrick's head to look straight at her. It was not that he did not wish to look at her, he just did not want to look away from Larena.

"Now, if you give me a moment, I can relieve the pain, but you may be a little unsteady for a few hours yet." Nodding caused too much pain, so he just stared ahead the 'aye' on the tip of his tongue as Larena took charge.

"Do what you must, I will make sure he is steady enough to return on horseback." With a firm nod, she looked him in the eye. "He does not get out of marrying me today." He felt the tired muscles of his face twist into what he hoped was some semblance of a smile.

"Nay, I will not try and get out of marrying you this day."

****

Just as the sun was setting, the bailey full of long shadows, two large spluttering fires, and a cheering clan MacKay. Kendrick stood, a little unsteadily, before the Keep's doors and took Larena as his wife. After what seemed a life time apart. They were finally, truly, in the eyes of God. Together.

As the last tinges of sunlight lit the top of the bailey walls in a golden flame Kendrick leant forwards and gently kissed his new wife. The cheers deafening as the clan showed their enthusiasm for the union they had now created. New bonds were to be made and they were now the forefront of those bonds between two clans, who had always been friendly, but were now officially family.