Summary; Set five years after the events in Brave. Another, less connected Lord and his Clan are attending the Highland Games, with the intent of marrying off their eldest daughter and making matches for their older sons who have not yet married. I have no idea how to pronounce the Scottish names, I only went to a baby name site and thought of what both parents might decide to name their newborn child. Translations at the bottom of the page.
Lord Fergus watched in rising spirits as his only daughter and eldest child, went and sat with the Young Lords. They welcomed her happily enough and listened as she began telling them about the new sword manoeuvres she had learned during the last two years. His brother Lords had been sending their sons to learn at his side, in the hopes that Merida would eventually choose one of the boys as her husband, thus making him the next high king and giving the boy's father life long bragging rights over the other two Lords. If Fergus had to guess, the Macguffin boy was closest to Merida in romantic terms, but Wee Dingwall was her closest friend. The poor Macintosh boy was barely on the fringe of consideration, even if he was the physical pick of the litter. Fergus smiled to himself, his daughter wasn't one to have her head turned by a handsome face. She had been raised to see the best in people and the outside fair often proved that it was the only best of the person.
Fergus' musings were interrupted when the great hall doors were swung open by a large, affable looking young man.
"Yer Highness, Lord Fergus!" the young man near shouted brightly, clearly unafraid of reprisal. "I'm Laine MacGinnis of MacKenzie! Lord MacKenzie sends his regards to yer house an' home. Sends his love to the Queen from Lady MacKenzie and Lady Kenzie. Also to Princess Merida, Lady Kenzie says hello and that she's going to strangle ye when she gets here. She told me no reason why, though I believe it may have something' to do wi' that basket o' snakes you sent her last year." Laine said with a cheeky, and somewhat anticipatory, grin at Merida, who broke into gales of laughter.
"Ahh! Good, the girls do get along well." Fergus shouted from his throne. "Tell me boy, when does Lord MacKenzie plan on arriving.
"He'll be arriving by tomorra's evening meal. An' Kenzie's madder 'en a wet hen. She's nae going to be good company." Laine said with a chuckle. Merida burst into fresh giggles. He went and sat with the young Lords and Merida to give an account of the trip from Clan MacKenzie lands.
There was no rebuke to the boy's behaviour, he, having been raised alongside Kenzie of Mackenzie, had some immunity for talking ill of the girl. The eldest girl, after three grown sons. She was not yet the youngest and was currently up for marriage, having reached sixteen and surpassed it three years ago. Merida was two years her elder, but the girls had a fast, if confusing, friendship. The young man Laine fit in somewhere between victim and confidant, with the way the girls treated him. The worm incident three years back would go down in favoured history by the triplets, Laine and Kenzie being the recipient and instigator respectively.
The next evening came quickly, but before the evening meal, Laine and Young Macintosh were out in the grand court yard waiting for the MacKenzie Clan to arrive. They had become fast friends, which surprised both Fergus and Lord Macintosh. The young Lord was haughty and looked down on everyone who wasn't noble. Laine, somehow, managed to get through the cool exterior and make a friend out of the other young men. Young Macintosh had held out for a few hours the night before, but after a recounting of the worm incident and something else relating to the girl Kenzie. Soon the five young people were laughing and drinking ale, with the exception of Merida, who held to that a princess didn't drink excessively. It was a good thing, because, she wound up hauling Wee Dingwall to his father's tent after the boy fell down the three steps outside the great hall and turned his ankle. The other lads had buggered off to the stables hours before. Fergus, Elinor, the triplet princes, and Merida, were now waiting for word that the MacKenzie Clan had arrived, and Fergus found himself watching the two older lads talk.
"So why hasn't the MacKenzie girl been married yet?" Kincaid Macintosh asked with a grin, expecting a shot at the girls looks or personality.
"Not a one measured up to Lord MacKenzie's expectations. He already has four boys to inherit his lands and holdings. Marrying off his only daughter, wasn't a necessity. He even argued with his Lady about not letting 'his wee baby girl' marrying some barbaric animal that would treat her badly." Laine said, pulling out a length of string and weaving a cat's cradle out of idleness. "She'd be for the convent, if Kenzie didn't agree with her mum. A good marriage, brings a good alliance. Kenzie's been raised to be a good wife. To be sure, I ne'er saw her be anything but a pain in the arse." Laine said with a snort, he turned the cat's cradle over to Kincaid, who took it and made a few tugs with the string, turning it into a Jacob's Ladder.
" So she wants to be married? She and Merida…?" Kincaid asked in confusion.
"Are the most confusing of friends. Oh aye, Kenzie can ride better than a horse skin can, but she likes being a girl, which is where she an' Merida part ways in liking each other." Laine chuckled and turned the Ladder into a pair of cat whiskers, he held it up to his face and grinned at Kincaid, who snorted and batted the string out of Laine's hands. "Aww, who hits a helpless kitten?" Laine said mock mournfully, both boys started snickering.
They kept talking and occasionally, laughing, until the MacKenzie standard was sighted and the train of people rode up on swift looking horses. Everyone to a man, looked exhausted with the long over land journey. What had taken the longest to keep moving, was the large Saxon carriage that Lord MacKenzie had bought for his wife and daughter to travel in. Currently, his wife was fuming inside the carriage and his daughter, Kenzie, rode her chestnut mare, as she had for most of the trip. The head of the train of people stopped and the large, not so large as Fergus or Lord Macguffin, almost bouncing form of Lord MacKenzie nearly jumped off his horse.
"Fergus! 'Tis good to see you again!" shouted Lord MacKenzie. Fergus broke into a large grin and went down to greet his old friend. They clasped forearms and pounded on each other's back for a moment. "Ah, me Queen Elinor! Lovely as ever. Merida, still a bad influence?" he asked with a conspirational wink, Merida grinned. Lord MacKenzie patted her head and moved on to the triplets.
"Ahh, the wee criminal element has turned up now that twilight is upon us." Lord MacKenzie said with a laugh as the boys raided his pockets, looking for sweets and small toys he always brought for them.
"Yer still as indulgent to the children as ever, Owen." Elinor said, as the triplets ran off holding small bags of honey candies and wooden soldiers.
"Yer their parents, ye needs must be strict. I'm near uncle to them, I can be ever indulging." Owen MacKenzie said, and hugged the Queen. He had gone to the games, when Elinor was on the market for marriage. He had even tried for her hand, until he met a foreigner woman and ran off with her. Lady MacKenzie wasn't very foreign, her family were Saxon and good friends with some of the lowland clans, which is how she and Owen had met at a grand games.
Almost all Scots Clans had attended and she was sponsored along with a close family friend. He had been good friends with Elinor in the beginning and had kept up that friendship, eventually extending it to Fergus and the other Lords. Only some of the lowland clans didn't like Owen and his own. Clan MacDonnell for instance. The trip would have taken only a week had MacDonnell allowed them passage through his lands. Luthais MacDonnell had kept a hatred of Owen, since he had also tried for both Elinor and Lady MacKenzie. He had managed to lose both and was bitter to the very end. He had had to swallow his pride and marry a woman from his own clan in order to keep his title as Lord.
"Laine?! Where is that boy? There you are, lazy slug! Fetch Kenzie from her horse. Carry her, if ye must. Just get her inside." Owen shouted, his daughter shared his wife's determined nature, or as Laine once put it, both women could give mules lessons on stubbornness. Kenzie was tired, both physically and mentally. Her mother had tried to continue lessons in the carriage, which gave Kenzie motion sickness, she couldn't read her books while riding, and they couldn't stop the caravan for two hours simply for a lesson or two. So her mother and she had been at odds the whole trip and Kenzie was fair worn out and almost asleep in the saddle. She had her hood up and her cloak wrapped around her. Laine shook his head and helped Kenzie off her horse, throwing her over his shoulder so that the groom could move her mare easily.
"Can ye stand?" Laine asked sympathetically.
"Laine, I have been riding a horse for almost a week straight. I can nae stand. I don't think I could even bear children anymore." Kenzie grumbled from inside her hood. "I dinnae care how, just get me to me room and have the maids get a hot bath ready." she mumbled, and slumped against Laine when he carried her bridal style inside the castle.
"The poor lass is exhausted. I'll see to her bath, and one for Lady MacKenzie." Elinor said and summoned several maids to get the tubs ready.
Laine left Kenzie in the room her room, she and her maids would share it and the next rooms with her mother and her ladies maids. The bath was in front of the hearth, perfect for keeping the water warm. Servants poured water into the wooden tub as she waited. She dismissed them, and Laine, so she could have her bath in private. Her maid Ellie was the only one to remain.
In the great hall, Owen, Fergus and the other Lords caroused happily, halfway drunk already as they waited for the ladies and the food to arrive. The younger generation sat around the hearth, waiting also for the newest person to join the wedding game. Laine was on duty, he served as Kenzie's bodyguard and her father's messenger. Almost two hours had gone by, and only Lady MacKenzie had turned up in the great hall, along with Queen Elinor. The Lords and their heirs were introduced, and each found their reception quite chilly. Lord Macintosh especially. Owen didn't notice this and was engaged in a game of 'Drink till yer Blind' with Macintosh and Macguffin.
When Lady MacKenzie looked up from her plate of sweet meats, she saw her daughter in the red, nearly maroon, dress, that she had forbidden her to wear ever. Lady MacKenzie hissed at her husband.
"Look at yer daughter! I told her not ta wear that dress!" Lady MacKenzie whispered furiously. Kenzie had the attention of every man in the room, even the nine-year-old triplet princes. She squared her shoulders and walked towards her father, who grinned broadly at her and swept her under his arm.
"This is me lass Kenzie. Me only gel out of the lot of them." Owen said proudly. "Now, go sit with Merida and the young lads. They'll keep ye entertained. And no pulling tricks like the last time, understand?" Owen's tone lowered to prove he was serious.
"Oh, Dad. I'm not going to do anything. I'm a lady and ladies don't start things." Kenzie said sweetly and turned to Merida. "However, I can finish what you started with tha' basket o' snakes ye sent me." she said quietly so only Merida and the others could hear her. Merida snorted.
"Oh, aye ye can try." Merida said challengingly.
"You're still as wild and reckless as ever." Kenzie said with a sniff.
"An' yuir still a stuck up little priss." Merida retorted hotly. The young women glowered at each other for a moment, before both broke into giggles.
"I can nae stay angry. Th' snakes were clever." Kenzie said with a smile.
"Th' spiders more so. Aren't you scared of 'em?" Merida asked, taking a roll from the basket a servant brought by.
"'Tis why I had Laine find them all. He chased me 'round the castle for days with one. At least until I found out he was making 'em outta string. He had a fair nasty surprise tha' evening." Kenzie said with a wicked grin at Laine, who didn't notice. The girls kept talking, unintentionally excluding the three young men with them. Iestyn and Gavan were enthralled with the stories the girls told, Kincaid however, could only stare at Kenzie.
"Do ye see what I see?" Owen said to Domhnull and discreetly pointed to the hearth where their children sat. Domhnull saw it too. "Should we be discussin' a betrothal and dowry?" Owen asked, if he had to marry his daughter off, it wouldn't be to the highest bidder. Both men watched as Kincaid made mooncalf eyes at Kenzie, they chuckled when his jaw fell open and he became a mouth-breathing dullard.
"Maybe. Let's give it a while. Me boy is stubborn." Domhnull said thoughtfully.
"Hah! Me lass could give a mule lessons on bein' stubborn!" Owen shouted and downed the rest of his ale. Both men roared for more and then laughed.
Kenzie looked over at her father, her mother was studiously ignoring the men as they drank and roughhoused. The younger set left the great hall, the young men were too young and inexperienced to drink like their elders and the girls weren't allowed to drink anything other than wine and they could never get drunk. Laine was sent after Kenzie, simply because he knew how to manipulate Lord Owen enough to get out of his actual duties as squire. He found the others in the stables.
"Laine! There you are. Come and join us. Merida was about to tell us how she turned her mum into a bear." Kenzie said brightly. Laine took a wineskin, and noted wryly that they all had one to themselves. Except Gavan, he didn't handle drink well. "Go on Merida." Kenzie said, turning back to Merida with an eager look on her face. Her Lowland clan was without any such tales and legends. Nothing as fascinating as Demon Bears or mothers turning into bears. Merida finished her tale to applause from the others.
"You'd make a good baird Merida." Laine said, and drank from his wineskin.
"I wish I could turn me mum into a squirrel or a mouse. Just to get her away for a day or too. She's nigh unbearable lately." Kenzie sighed wistfully.
"Yer mum ain't that bad." Laine said with a grin.
"She thinks I'm going to be an old maid. I'm nineteen. 'Tis hardly old enough to worry about not being married and without a gaggle of grubby little bairns pulling on me skirts." Kenzie groused and took a long pull off her wineskin.
"If ye go much longer, they may just make me marry you." Laine said, horrified, Kenzie and Merida laughed hysterically. "Och, me pride! 'Tis injured and grovelling for mercy." Laine said dryly. The girls fell against each other, laughing, even the boys were chuckling.
"Me mum would hang naked by her toes before letting' the son of me wet nurse marry her precious bargaining chip!" Kenzie said, sobering from her laughing fit only to drink more.
"Your da will have a fit if he finds out yer drinking more'n you should." Laine said, Kenzie, Merida, and the young Lords gave him the same look of scornful amusement. "Och now, ye needn't get brutal." he said with a rueful chuckle. Being the responsible one with these people was going to be difficult.
"So why hasn't yer da married ye off yet?" Iestyn asked, barely understandable, due to the wine and his Doric emerging.
"He thinks I'm a delicate little maid that needs coddlin'. I'm nineteen already. He just doesnae want me gone from th' castle. He's too soft on me." Kenzie said, with a pout.
Kincaid snorted.
"Most gels' are glad to be kept from marriage." Kincaid pointed out, after taking a long swallow of liquid courage. He'd slap himself the next day at his first words to the woman he was enthralled with.
"I don't want ta marry. I want ta be mistress o' me own home. But for a girl, 'tis either marry a man, or be wed to God. An' I don't do well cooped up in church on Sundays for a couple hours. I'd become a ravin' lunatic within a week in a convent." Kenzie said with a hard-edged smirk. "Besides, I've courted the devil a time or two with me antics. God wouldn't take adultery against Himself lightly." she added to gales of laughter at her wry tone.
"Aye she has. I bear testament to tha'! Scars an' all!" Laine said, his wine finally taking effect. "She used fletching glue on me face and stuck worms to me. Then told me to go fishin'! The worms fell off after a day or two. But the glue!" Laine cried to loud laughter.
"Ma brothers thought tha' was the best trick ever!" Merida laughed, tears of mirth were streaming down her cheeks. " An' then there was the noodle catastrophe!"
"Tha' was nae me! No one can prove it was me! There was nae proof!" Kenzie shrieked instantly, making Laine and Merida double over and laugh hysterically. "I dinnae have to take this! I'm off to me bed!" Kenzie said, feigning insult and swept out of the stables. Or she would have, if her balance hadn't taken the brunt of the wine. She nearly fell into an open stall, but Kincaid caught her and both left the stable. They walked up the side entrance and stood for a moment on the rampart, just looking at the darkened landscape.
They went inside and Kincaid walked with Kenzie to her room.
"I didnae mean to come off so rude." Kincaid began sheepishly, he idly wondered where his arrogance and self-confidence had disappeared to, as he tried to form some coherent sentences to impress Kenzie.
"'Tis nothing' I haven't already asked myself. Why am I looking forward at bein' wed to a stranger I've ne'er met before? 'Tis simple. It's an adventure. I'm no' brave, like Merida. But I am eager to start a new life. Maybe a husband is the only way I can go, since I don't want to be put in a convent or become a healer woman." Kenzie said and yawned. "Thank ye for seeing me to me room. I'll be seeing ye tomorrow I ken?"
"Aye. Maybe we can go riding." Kincaid said eagerly, Kenzie gave him a smile and went into her room. He walked with a proud swagger back to the great hall.
The next morning, started a little too brightly for most of the castle inhabitants. Servants, pages and children were the only people out and about. The first of the nobility awake was Kincaid Macintosh and his father. They were headed to the stables to ready some horses, and Kincaid couldn't figure out why his father was following him.
"Da, what's going on?" Kincaid asked, a little unnerved by his father's silence and his stare. Neither were normal for the older man.
"Just wondering what ye thought of the MacKenzie lass?" Domhnull asked, trying not to be too obvious. Kincaid grinned as he recalled his first look at Kenzie. It wasn't her dress or her face that caught him. It was her hair, the colour of honey in a flat glass jar, lit from behind by sunlight. Her eyes were as green as new wheat and her lips made him slightly weak at the knees. He was well versed in pleasing, and being pleased by, women. He held no illusions or fantasies about what he really wanted Kenzie for, but now his father was asking unusual questions, so he had to keep his head on straight. How he convinced himself that his father didn't notice his sudden silly grin or the faraway look as he thought about Kenzie was a mystery.
"She's pretty." Kincaid said simply, watching his father out of the corner of his eyes.
"I heard you were taking her riding today." Domhnull said, throwing in his trump card. "You'll treat her accordingly. She's a noble and you'll remember that." Domhnull said darkly. "You may be finding yerself in deep shite if you ruin 'er and refuse to take responsibility. Ye also may find yerself married to 'er. Her da and I have talked. But we tabled th' discussion until we're sure 'tis a good match." Domhnull said with a broad grin at his son, when he shot him a worried look.
"Married to 'er? Da, what about choosin' fer meself?" Kincaid asked in a panic.
"You're getting' on in years and yer mum is worrying' she'll die before seein' grandchildren. I'm worrying' about dyin' and you not havin' an heir or five." Domhnull said with a wide grin as Kincaid rolled his eyes.
"I'll think about it, da. Just, don't say anything' to 'er." Kincaid said with an aggrieved sigh as he untangled a bridle and hailed a stable boy. "Ye get Lady Kenzie's horse ready. We'll be going for a ride 'ere soon." he said to the boy.
"Her father will want an escort present." Domhnull pointed out.
"How am I to know if she's right fer me, if I cannae have a real conversation with 'er? She won't speak free if she's being watched by a maid or her guard. Tha' Laine, I think he's smitten wi' her." Kincaid asked and glared at the bridle in his hands.
"Laine is hand fasted to a girl in his home clan. Owen said so, when I spoke of him being too close to his daughter." Domhnull said, as if thinking through a fog. He was getting too old to drink like he was young. He snorted to himself. "Would ye like me to ride behind ye? Satisfy her father and keep ye outta trouble." he offered with a wry grimace as he recalled his own father doing the same to him when he was attempting to court young ladies.
"Da! No! Laine will ride behind. Or a stable hand. Someone who won't be distractin'." Kincaid groaned in absolute horror at the thought of his father following him and a new conquest into a secluded thicket. He stopped his train of thought there. Even thinking about the possibility of his father witnessing anything was terrifying. Domhnull may be indulgent to his only son, but he wasn't a negligent father in the least. He would still take a horse whip to his rear if Kincaid did anything to shame his clan. Domhnull left his son to see to the horses and went to find a cure for his hangover. Really too old to be drinking like he was his sons' age. Kincaid watched him go, and began thinking about who to ask along as escort. He wondered if there were any deaf and dumb servants or just ones that didn't speak Gaelic or English.
Kenzie woke up an hour later, her mother had found her after she had gotten into bed, and had fully scolded her for wearing the deep red dress. Thankfully, she didn't know about the wine or the fact that she and Merida were the only two girls with the four young men. Kenzie called for her maids and with their help, she was washed, dressed and turned out for the day. Her dress today was a simple light blue linen with a yellow leather belt. her hair was half tied back and parted on the left rather than down the middle, since she insisted she looked ridiculous with the long middle line going along her head. Kenzie stretched a little before heading down to the great hall for breakfast. During the games everything was done with the host and his family. Meals and events were kept public unless there was a reason only certain people were allowed to participate. The archery contest for Merida's hand in marriage five years ago was an example of particular participation. Kenzie wondered what her father would choose for her hand in marriage. Probably the winner of the entire Grand Highlands games. She sighed and sat down at her seat to a meal of goat yoghurt, sliced apples and, toasted wheat bread with honey. She didn't notice Kincaid staring at her from his seat along the benches for the separate clans. Merida put in her first appearance for the day as she sat down next to Kenzie.
"Why is Young Macintosh staring at us?" Merida asked blankly as a serving girl set her breakfast down. She sent Kincaid a look and he looked down at his half empty plate, embarrassed at being caught.
"I dinnae know. He's been doin' it for a while now." Kenzie said with a shrug.
"D'you wanna go riding after breakfast? Angus and I have been waitin' for a chance at a rematch from last time." Merida asked with a wild grin, Kenzie grinned back.
"Yer on. I'll met ye at the stables, once yer done eating. I gotta get Gwyn tacked up." Kenzie said as she stood and left the hall. Kincaid got up and followed her to the stables. She moved surprisingly quickly in the long skirt, unlike Merida, who tripped and stumbled in her finer dresses.
"There ye are. I was beginning to wonder if ye forgot." Kincaid said with a charming smile at Kenzie.
"Forgot?" Kenzie prompted, desperately trying to remember if she promised anything untoward.
"That ye promised to go ridin' with me today." Kincaid said, confidence flagging slightly, Kenzie breathed in relief, only riding.
"I think I did forget. Forgive me, but I have to talk to Princess Merida for a moment. I made plans I shouldn't have." Kenzie said with a sweet smile and met Merida at Angus' stall, three rows over.
"Merida, help!" Kenzie whispered frantically. "I promised to go riding with that lad there, and I cannae remember his name, or what else I may have promised." Kenzie said in a low voice. Merida looked over Kenzie's shoulder and noted that it was Young Macintosh.
"How 'bout I ride with ye as yer chaperone and make sure he doesnae try anything?" Merida asked quietly. "I can also keep ye from making a bigger goose of yerself."
"Starting with his name?" Kenzie asked hopefully.
"His name is Kincaid Macintosh, the next Lord of his Clan. He's arrogant, over confident, and a hot head. He threw a tantrum at the games a few years ago when I was supposed to wed the winner. Tossed his bow further than he shot the arrow." Merida said with a grin at Kincaid. "I'll be ridin' as yer escort." she said to his general disappointment.
"Well, yer better than me da offerin' to come along." Kincaid muttered and shook his head. He led his horse and Kenzie's mare Gwyn out of the stables and offered Kenzie his assistance in mounting. Kenzie was in the saddle before he could cup his hands for a step up. He looked a little startled, but grinned and mounted his own stallion. A black demon of a horse, only he and a handful of other people could handle the beast. Merida came around on Angus, bareback as usual. Kenzie shook her head at the sight of near delicate Merida atop a great beast such as Angus. Her own mare was a thoroughbred pacer. Equal in both her speed and stamina, Gwyn wasn't the faster runner or the last to drop, she was steady and kept even. Merida tried to keep along side Kenzie and then Young Macintosh, but it was clear from the swift glares he kept sending her, that her presence, though necessary, was unwanted. Merida took to ranging either ahead of her friends or falling behind long enough for Kenzie and Kincaid to actually talk.
"Ye did forget that ye were comin' ridin' wi' me" Kincaid asked with a slight pout and a look from under his long fringe of hair, the girls back home called it smouldering and he ran with it. He had bedded more women with the look, than without it. Kenzie gave a nervous sort of laugh and toyed with a lock of her blonde hair.
"Yeah, I guess I had. I was drinking the wine. Same as you an' th' others. But I think it affected me more'n I thought it would. I remember going out to the stables and laughing, but not much else after that." Kenzie admitted with a sheepish shrug of her shoulders. She shivered then, the spring air was still cool in the mornings. "I forgot me cloak, My mum will skin me if I fall ill." Kincaid raised a black, carefully shaped, eyebrow, then pulled off his, mostly for effect, red fox and black woollen cloak and swung it around Kenzie's shoulders.
"There, yer mum won't have anything to be angry about." Kincaid said, he was accustomed to colder temperatures, this wasn't much of a sacrifice for him. Though, by the look on Kenzie's face, it was a very big, and hugely generous, thing for him to have done.
"I… Thank ye." Kenzie said quietly, a little stunned at the sudden show of generosity from the young lord. They rode in silence for a few minutes and watched as Merida raced by on Angus. "So, what do ye do for fun? And don't say ye train with your weapons. Laine says that all the time, when I know he's out with his gel Tannis."
"Well, I do find me training to be entertaining. Now don't ye dare tell anyone, but I like playin' the lyre, and reading tales." Kincaid said, he did enjoy those things, but the line was an oft used one to endear himself to a young lady. "Do you play an instrument?"
"I'm not much for music, but mum wanted me to learn something so I picked something a girl has no business playin'." Kenzie admitted with a wicked little smirk. Kincaid found himself grinning right along with her.
"What do ye play?" Kincaid asked hoping for a good answer.
"I can play the bagpipes." Kenzie said, and smiled brightly when Kincaid threw his head back and roared with laughter. A girl who could ply the bagpipes was hysterical.
"How in the nine hells did ye convince yuir mum to let ye learn?" Kincaid asked through his snorts and guffaws. "I know naught of any girl who plays the pipes."
"It took near a month o' arguing' up an' down. I told her it was either bagpipes or lessons in dancing' from the Spaniard an' his mistress. Mum didn't want me learnin' their flamenco or th' tango. Somethin' to do with bein' very unladylike." Kenzie explained and then had to explain why the dances weren't something an unwed young lady would ever learn, even if her father allowed it.
Kincaid still found it hilarious that Kenzie knew how to play the bagpipes, something his Clan was known for doing either horribly or exceedingly well. It was only horrible if his tone deaf father put action to bragging and tried to play more than a few notes. They rode on, turning and heading back to Castle DunBroch. Occasionally a laugh or a giggle would escape on or the other. When Merida came up, she told them about the pipers competition that evening and couldn't figure out why both Kenzie and Kincaid nearly fell off their horses laughing. Once they were back in the stables and watering their horses, Kincaid had to ask a question that had been wriggling around his head.
"Kenzie, ye never said just why you chose the bagpipes, instead o' any number of instruments. Ye had yer pick, dinnae you?" Kincaid asked, handing Kenzie a curry comb.
"Oh aye, my pick of singing, the piano forte, the viola, and the ever popular flute." Kenzie said sarcastically. "I told my mum, if she wanted me to learn something, then I wanted to choose. I chose the bagpipes and she agreed. I never thought me tutor would make me learn how to play well however. I was stuck learnin' an instrument I never really wanted to learn in the first place."
"So why did you keep playin'?" Kincaid asked, taking the hoof brush from Kenzie.
"I had to, as me mum said, and before I got good at it, I made a very satisfying racket any time I wanted to get revenge for too tight dresses, pinchy slippers, and tortuous hair pinning. Took me four years o' playing till they caught on that the early morning, cat being eaten by a squirrel racket, was my way of rebelling and making me parents pay for something I didnae like." Kenzie said with a laugh.
"You and me da would get along like fish an' water." Kincaid said with a grin.
"I mean nae offense, but he's the one with the same blue paint, on his face and wild hair?" Kenzie asked, a little hesitantly.
"Aye, he is." Kincaid said with a proud smirk.
"He looks like he's crazy. Absolutely stark, raving, mad." Kenzie said, wide eyed. "Took me a while, last night to realize that he wasn't. He isn't mad, is he?"
"Only in battle. He's somethin' of a berserker. Though he's really, more for tactics, than charging in blindly." Kincaid said, noting Kenzie's relieved look. She looked up from her horse and caught him looking at her, he grinned, she blushed and looked away. He'd walk with an obscene amount of swagger for the rest of the day.
Kenzie was summoned by her mother for her lessons, there was so much to catch up on and they had only the afternoon to get through three days worth. About an hour into the lesson, Lady MacKenzie caught Kenzie staring off into the ether for the fifth time. She finally asked what had gotten her daughter's attention so thoroughly.
"What was it like when you an' da were courting'?" Kenzie asked with a sigh.
"He was always a gentleman. Laird or not, he never took advantage of me." Lady MacKenzie said severely. "He treated me as if I was the Princess and not Queen Elinor."
"He said he ran away with ye." Kenzie said in confusion.
"He followed me back to me home and pledged ten years of tithing to my father for my hand in marriage. He spent three years on my father's farms. Living and working as a serf. He never once complained and made good friends with many of the lowland clans. My father fell ill and told your da to marry me before he died. A year after we married, my father passed on, and your da brought me to his castle in the upper lowlands." Lady MacKenzie said, remembering her courtship fondly.
"What about during your courting? Was he romantic or simply there?" Kenzie asked, and noted with interest how red her mother's cheeks got.
"He was very romantic, and persuasive. Keep your head on your shoulders, or the lads trying to court you will ruin you." Lady MacKenzie said shortly. She held no trust in either her daughter's ability to remain virtuous, or in the young Scotsmen around the Highlands. Restraint simply wasn't in their upbringing, not with battle a constant threat for most of them. Lady MacKenzie had missed an opportunity to bond with her daughter. She favoured lecture to conversation.
Kenzie suffered through the rest of her lesson and finally got to go riding with Merida and Angus. Laine had to tag along, just is case the girls needed help with something. When he was asked about sending the young man off with the Princess and his own daughter, Lord MacKenzie only laughed and said that the boy was wary of the girls, and would try to get away from them before he tried anything untoward. Lord MacKenzie was also fairly certain the girls would do something to Laine, rather than the other way around. Snorts and laughter were had until King Fergus pointed out that every man in his kingdom were led only through Queen Elinor's grace. If she so desired, she could take the reins of the kingdom and lead it better than even he could. A man was only as smart as the woman lead him to think. Mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives, all were able to wrap their men around their littlest fingers. Those men with daughters and wives laughed nervously.
Days and tournaments passed quickly. It was a good thing the games lasted for close to three months so that injured men could recover and compete in the later trials. Kenzie and Kincaid were getting closer, enough so that Kincaid was thinking hard about marriage. Of course, something would go wrong, his life was hardly smooth sailing since the last games and Merida's consorting with a witch. He sighed and laid down on the cot in his tent. All the clans that had shown up were living in tents, the few ladies were housed in the castle, to be with the Queen. Any invading force would be foolish to try for the castle. At least eight clans were encamped on the grounds, several thousand seasoned warriors would give even the Romans pause for thought. Kincaid snorted, the Romans had been gone for decades. The only things they left behind were their bath houses, and their cats. Kincaid snapped into a sitting position. Some of the cats that lived in the stables had litters of kittens. Some of them were old enough to leave their mothers. Kincaid called for two baskets and a messenger. He was going to take Kenzie for a picnic tomorrow, and a couple of kittens would be a sweet gift. Sweet enough to earn him a few kisses. That was all the opening he needed for now. He could exploit that gratefulness for weeks. He grinned and settled down to sleep, at peace enough to sleep without tossing and turning and worrying about other men trying to court Kenzie.
Kenzie sat with Merida, they had been to the Crone's Tooth and back, Kenzie wasn't nearly strong enough to climb the stone pillar. They were talking and laughing about what had gone on in the days tournament, hand to hand combat was a daily thing, and some foolish young Scot thought he'd get an easy win by challenging Gavan Dingwall. Gavan had learned a thing or to in the last few years. He was still quiet and still somewhat lost in the ether, but he was also a surprisingly good fighter, even without the element of surprise he retained. No one had seen him coming, but they did see the younger lad go down screaming and Gavan being named victor in the quick battle. Merida had made a fuss over Wee Dingwall and had named him her champion for the games, alongside Iestyn who was winning every game he entered. Kenzie was still waiting for Kincaid to win something, he had forgotten to enter many of the early games and was signed up for the caber toss, the stone pull, several different sword tournaments, and the stone throw. He had also been dragged into playing the Saxons polo and his father had made him participate in playing golf.
Apparently Kincaid had quite the swing, he was able to hit the little round ball harder and further than the men twice his age and experience. He had bragged and boasted all day about being in the official games, but when Merida mentioned the game of golf, he shut his mouth and glowered at the hearth fire for most of the evening, at least until Kenzie arrived with an apple pie she had managed to teach the triplet princes how to make earlier that day. Queen Elinor had been pleased and very relieved that someone knew how to keep the boys occupied and out of everyone's hair. Lady MacKenzie had finally ended Kenzie's lessons on the word of the Queen, so that Kenzie could spend more time teaching, the boys, and keeping them out of trouble. So far she had to cancel on Kincaid several times when the Queen asked her to tutor. The Queen had been relying on Kenzie a lot in the past week and just now saw how forlorn the girl was becoming. Elinor was headed out to the stables, her daily ride with Merida was due, and she saw Young Macintosh moping along inside. He had failed to get Kenzie for an afternoon ride yet again, for the third day in a row. His kittens were nearly old enough to have their own kittens, he noted dejectedly. He opened their basket and had to grin as they scrambled out and around Black Adam's hooves. He had caved and named his horse something other than 'You Evil Bastard!' for Kenzie's sake. She had smiled at him.
"Well, this is adorable." Elinor said sweetly and smiled lightly when Young Macintosh near flew out of skin in surprise.
"Yer Highness!" Kincaid stammered, trying to shove the sleepy kittens into the basket, especially the little ginger striped one that like to curl up under his chin. He hissed and winced in pain as their little needle sharp claws dug into his skin. "I…I!"
"Ye needn't say anything. I know a lovelorn look when I see it. If ye go now, Kenzie should be finished teachin' the boys how to make vinegar and soda explode all over the kitchen." Elinor said kindly, privately amused as the boy hastened away, red as a robin's breast from her sly comment, Elinor made a mental note to talk to Fergus about talking to Owen and Domhnull about their children. Merida showed up and both went for their ride.
Kincaid walked into the kitchen and immediately noticed the resigned looks on the scullery maids faces as they cleaned up after Kenzie and the boys, all of whom were sitting at a table.
"Kenzie! The Queen said you were free for the afternoon." Kincaid said, trying to remain aloof, enough to fool the three boys who didn't look the least bit fooled.
"Aye, we're done for today. Tomorrow, we'll be going into th' orchards." Kenzie said to the boys, who had whined when she agreed with Kincaid. "I'll be teachin' ye how to make jam and tarts." The boys whooped and ran off.
"You're good with them." Kincaid noted in admiration.
"They know they'll get books if they misbehave more than I've allowed for them. Teaching them their numbers an' letters by baking their sweets keeps them interested." Kenzie said with a grin, as she dusted off the flour and soda. "Did ye want me for something?" she asked, suddenly shy. Kincaid grinned and ramped up his charm.
"Would ye like to go for a ride? I have something to give ye." Kincaid said, flipping his hair out of his eyes, this never failed to get a smile and sometimes a giggle form Kenzie. She didn't disappoint and giggled, with a broad smile at him. She wouldn't tell him why his hair flip made her laugh, but he had it on good authority that Merida knew. He'd have to lean on her later. "I can have the cooks put together a meal for the two of us, if ye like?" he asked, Kenzie looked relieved and nodded her assent.
"You get th' horses, and I'll go get a new dress. The boys wouldn't settle down, and we wound up throwin' flour everywhere." Kenzie said ruefully, and fluffed her hair, a fine white powder puffed out. "It's in me hair, me nose and probably me under things. The boys are nothing, if not thorough." she sighed, not seeing Kincaid's eyes travel slowly down her body, as if he was trying to see through her yellow dress and underclothing.
"Aye. You go on an change. I'll wait at the stable for ye." Kincaid said, snapping back to reality when Kenzie looked at him expectantly. She smiled sweetly and went off, leaving Kincaid to enjoy watching her leave.
He ordered the maids to put together a basket of food and cold meats. He had to get the kittens into their basket and get the horses saddled. Kincaid suddenly snapped to, and grabbed the picnic basket. He had to get everything put together and he had only a few minutes. He ran as fast as he could and hurdled a trough to get to the stables in time to order a stable hand to get Gwyn saddled while he saddled Black Adam, and chased down his kittens. He could only find two and of them, one was the ginger stripe that liked to snuggle his chin. He stuffed them into the basket and turned to see Kenzie headed towards him.
"I told me da about going riding, and he said we didnae need an escort!' Kenzie said happily. "Course, we're never outta sight of the castle, so 'tis a moot point." she added sheepishly.
"Tis fine. We're only riding and having a bite to eat while we're out." Kincaid said nonchalantly, thinking his father and hers had talked. A slight thrill went through him. If her father said no escort was needed, then that was as good as permission to do as they pleased. This was turning out to be a very good day for Kincaid. He led both horses out and was quick enough to help Kenzie onto her horse. She grinned down at him, as he smirked triumphantly at her. She leaned down and planted a quick kiss on his forehead. He started and gave her a surprised look, then grinned at her.
"I believe this'll be an interesting outing today." Kincaid said with a pleased look on his face, he mounted and they set off. They flirted, shamelessly on Kincaid's part, and innocently on Kenzie's.
Black Adam and Gwyn kept nosing each other, looking as though they were whispering. Gwyn perked her ears up and nipped playfully at Black Adam, as he arched his neck and pranced away. Kincaid tried to get him under control, but Gwyn nipped Black Adam's flank, the stallion whinnied and tried to nip back. Gwyn spun sideways and took off at a gallop, making Kenzie shout in surprise as she was flung back by momentum. He turned Black Adam and spurred him into a gallop.
Kenzie mentally cursed herself for riding sidesaddle. All because she wanted to look a little more ladylike. She leaned forward, trying to get more of the saddle beneath her and hauled back on the reins. She could usually trust Gwyn to travel sedately without any guidance, but today she seemed to have more energy than usual. She managed to keep herself on the horse at least, until Kincaid thundered up beside and then in front of Gwyn. He edged Black Adam into Gwyn's space, forcing her to slow down in order to manoeuvre, just as she was about to sheer off, Kincaid grabbed the reins and began to lead Gwyn. He reined in Black Adam, effectively stopping Gwyn in her tracks. Kenzie slid off Gwyn and collapsed on the ground. Kincaid almost flew to her, leaving the horses.
"I haven't been so frightened in all me life!" Kenzie wailed. "I'm ne'er ridin side saddle ever again." she said, making Kincaid laugh in nervous relief, he held her arms while kneeling in front of her. Kenzie leaned her head on his chest and he hugged her tight.
"Are ye hurt? At all?" Kincaid asked, dropping his head, to whisper in her ear.
"Nay. Shaken surely. Will ye take the saddle off Gwyn? I'd rather ride bare back." Kenzie said softly, trying to get her fright under control. Kincaid took the opportunity to keep holding her, only to be surprised when she tilted her head up and kissed his cheek. "Ye saved me from a tumble. Thank ye." Kenzie said, blushing.
"That's twice ye kissed me. Do I get th' chance to even th' score?" Kincaid asked, putting on his smouldering look and pressed his forehead to Kenzie's. She gave him a cheeky smile.
"If ye so desire. I dinnae mind." Kenzie said boldly, and blushing red enough to resemble an apple. Kincaid took that moment to kiss Kenzie full on the mouth. She jerked back, startled. They looked at each other, Kincaid smirking at her, Kenzie wide eyed in surprise.
"That does nae count." Kenzie stated, putting her chin up petulantly.
"And why not? Seemed fair to me." Kincaid asked, still smirking and caressing Kenzie's cheek boldly. Kenzie shook his hand off and pulled away, Kincaid's face registered his disappointment.
"Nae, 'twas stolen. You will return it." Kenzie said, and found herself on her back, Kincaid above her, grinning wickedly. Kenzie had time only to shriek laughingly, before Kincaid was kissing her again. Kenzie was overwhelmed by his ardour and began to panic.
"What's th' matter? Am I tae rough?" Kincaid asked hoarsely, wanting nothing more than to continue.
"I… I'm nae sure we should be going so swiftly." Kenzie said quietly, Kincaid groaned loudly and rolled off her. "I just wanted to have time alone with ye." she admitted sadly.
"Did yer da know I was takin ye riding down the hill?" Kincaid asked, Kenzie's demeanour sent a ripple of unease through him.
"He knew. A week ago." Kenzie admitted quietly.
"I hope ye want a fall weddin'." Kincaid groaned and threw an arm over his eyes. Kenzie leaned on his chest, and gave him a weak smile when he looked at her.
"I wouldna mind a summer wedding'." Kenzie said softly, her hair fell over her shoulder, and Kincaid let in slip through his fingers, while he thought about her words.
"Fall, so that me mum can get here in time." Kincaid said with a soft look at Kenzie, she broke out into a full smile and leaned down to kiss him. "Ye will marry me then?" he asked, when she pulled back.
"Aye. I would be proud to be your wife." Kenzie said, she was a little afraid he'd say he was joking or that he was only toying with her. Kincaid smiled slowly, then rolled so that Kenzie was beneath him again, he kissed her deeply.
"I'll speak to me da, and then we'll both go to your father and speak to him." Kincaid said, Kenzie only blinked up at him, her head still spinning from his kiss.
Kenzie wasn't sure how, or when, but she and Kincaid ate the packed meal, and she cooed over the kittens. They kissed some more and then returned to the castle before dark. Kincaid was helping Kenzie down from her horse and taking the opportunity for a few more stolen kisses. Kenzie allowed him to take such liberties, until someone pulled Kincaid away from her, by his hair. Kenzie found herself being dragged out of the stables and into the great hall, by none other than her own mother. She was dragged in front of the King and Queen, and the gathered Lords, including her father.
"I demand the Macintosh boy be punished!" Lady Mackenzie shrieked at King Fergus.
"On what grounds?" Fergus asked blankly.
"He's ruined Kenzie here. Taken her out without an escort or her bodyguard. He took her off the castle grounds and out of sight of your own lookouts. I demand that Clan Macintosh pay reparations for my daughters tattered reputation." Lady MacKenzie shouted imperiously. Kenzie struggled out of her mother's grip and ran to her father.
"Da, its nae true! Kincaid hasnae done anything!" Kenzie said plaintively, Owen looked at her, then at his wife. "Please Da. We went out today without an escort, because I wanted at be alone with him. I wanted to have a real conversation wi' him. And I did! He wants to marry me! We're hand fasted!" Kenzie exclaimed, trying to get through to her father. Owen's head snapped up and he cast a glance at Domhnull, who looked flabbergasted.
"Did he say that before or after he ruined you?" Lady MacKenzie asked mockingly. "I raised an empty headed little goose! Owen, 'tis time you put your foot down and stop this nonsense. She's clearly been addled by that barbaric boy."
"He's nae a boy. He's the next Lord of Clan Macintosh and he is going to marry me!" Kenzie shrieked at her mother.
"Then where is he? I do not see him in the hall to defend himself or you!" Lady Mackenzie said holding her arms out to show that Kincaid wasn't in attendance.
"What? Where is he? He was there in the stables." Kenzie said in confusion, Kincaid hadn't followed them to the hall. Owen shook his head, partially for his own disappointment, and partly for his daughter's apparent heart break.
"We'll be leaving at day break. I'll no' let me family cause anymore trouble." Owen said heavily. He turned to Domhnull. "If yer boy turns up and will prove Kenzie is telling th' truth. Then I'll gladly accept his courting my Kenzie. I won't ask ye to pay recompense, since it was Kenzie's fault." Owen said respectfully. Lady MacKenzie went red in outrage.
"I will not allow my child to marry such a barbaric…!" Lady MacKenzie began shrilly.
"Be silent woman! 'Tis not for you to allow anything''! She is my child, and I make th' decisions regardin' her!" Owen roared at his wife, shocking her into silence and stunning Kenzie. She had thought her parents had a loving relationship, but this spoke of a deep underlying problem. "I apologize, my King, Queen Elinor. We will be gone at dawn."
He said again and pulled both women out of the great hall. They would stay in the tents with him while their things were taken from the rooms in the castle and packed onto their wagons.
Dawn came, and went with the MacKenzie clan, and still there was no sign of Kincaid Macintosh. It was only when a servant went down to the wine and ale cellars to bring up a fresh barrel for the evening meal, was Kincaid found. He had been locked in one of the smaller cellars that held the expensive wines. He was also drunk, having had nothing to eat or drink except the wine. His fists were bloodied from pounding on the thick wooden door for hours, and he desperately needed a bath. It took the better part of that night and the next day for him to sober up and get his head on straight again. When he was told about the fiasco Lady MacKenzie had caused, he was already turning and shouting for a weeks worth of provisions and Black Adam to be saddled. Gwyn had been left behind as recompense to Fergus and Elinor. Kincaid had her tacked up as a pack animal.
"Ye can't go after her son. She's already halfway through Macreid lands. They aren't our allies." Domhnull protested, worried about his son being taken prisoner or worse, killed.
"I'll be home with me wife in a week da. Have mum air out her weddin' dress. Kenzie will need it." Kincaid said and rode off after Kenzie. He rode hard, long after the sunset and near dawn, before he finally caught up the MacKenzie train. He rested until dark, letting the horses get their stamina back and then rode through the thick growth, to get to the head of the train, where Lord Owen rode. The carriage was near the middle, and wallowed slowly down the overgrown path. Kincaid would have to wait until the call was made to make camp, before he could even begin planning a way to get Kenzie away from her mother.
He didn't have to wait long. Kenzie gave him the opportunity herself. She got out of the carriage near midnight and walked to the edge of the camp, near where he was crouched and waiting. He almost sighed aloud, when he first saw her, she was tousled and dressed only in her night shift. The torch light danced in her honey coloured hair, and when she turned, he hissed in anger, there was a bruise on her cheek and jawbone that was already going to purple. Kincaid waited for just the right moment, when Kenzie turned away from staring into the woods, a heart broken look on her face that twisted a knife in his gut. As she turned, he rushed silently up behind her, wrapped a hand around her mouth and carried her just as quietly, back to the horses. Once there, he let her see who he was.
"Kincaid! What are ye doin here? If me da finds out!" Kenzie began startled.
"He isn't goin to. Not for a while at least. I'm taking ye back to Clan Macintosh and marrying ye before yer mum can do anything else." Kincaid said, he wanted nothing more than to kiss Kenzie right there, or at least get the chance to slap Lady MacKenzie for taking Kenzie away from him. He settled for kissing Kenzie. She didn't resist, in fact she practically begged him to keep kissing her. "What's got into ye? Not that I'm complaining'"
"Me mum wants me da to marry me off to the MacDonnell heir. He's coming to meet us tomorrow and mum expects me to be wed to him by sunset. She planned it all out since before we even left our own lands." Kenzie said, twisting a long lock of hair nervously.
"You'll be on Clan DunBroch land by evening tomorrow, and by dawn the next day, we'll be on me own land. Unless yer dad wants a war wi' Clan Macintosh and the King, he won't be letting yer mum come after ye. Let's go. We have a lot of hard riding, and only Black Adam will carry us. Gwyn's packed up wi' supplies." Kincaid said, mounting and pulling Kenzie up behind him. They rode for hours, until Kincaid felt Kenzie's arms slip from around his ribcage. He pulled the horse to a stop and let Kenzie dismount. She was tired and shivering from the cool night air. Kincaid went to Gwyn and rummaged through a pannier. He came back to Kenzie with a tartan. He tried to help her wrap it, until it became obvious that he was only undoing everything she had done.
"A tartan isn't going to warm me, Kincaid." Kenzie said softly, his blue eyes widened at the subtle implication, and he smiled at her, a roguish look in his eyes.
"Ye can never step back from tha." Kincaid said, pulling Kenzie into a hug.
"I know. I never want to. Being with ye is all I want." Kenzie said, slipping her arms around his waist. Kincaid knew she meant it, this was something she had never lied about, if she had ever even thought of lying, she'd get nervous and evasive. "Me da willna make me leave ye, if he believes ye've had me as yer wife." Kenzie whispered.
"MacDonnell wouldn't have ye if he thought ye were carryin his enemy's child." Kincaid mused, then pulled the plaid around both of them. "I can warm ye, but I'll warn ye now. It may turn out that in a few months ye no longer want to be me wife. I've been tryin to keep me temper under lock and key, and tryin' so very hard to be a good man to ye."
"You made yerself grow up. Ye're supposed to do that eventually anyway. You'll be the next Lord o' yer clan. They wouldnae put up with a child playin at being Lord. I wouldn't want to be with ye if that were the case. I know about yer temper and yer past…exploits. I've had no less than a dozen maids and servants tell me what a rogue ye were before ye set eyes on me. They said you changed overnight. No longer were ye off with other women at any chance ye got. I'm rather thankful o' that." Kenzie admitted with a grin at Kincaid's guilty wince.
"Why are ye thankful that I stopped chasing skirts?" Kincaid asked blankly.
"Ye no longer needed th' practice." Kenzie said with a quick grin, as Kincaid looked flabbergasted at her bold reply. His father was right, Kenzie and his mother would get along famously. Kincaid threw his head back and roared with laughter for a moment, then settled down.
"I see I have a lot of practice ahead of me. What's behind me will only serve as reference for the task ahead." Kincaid said in a husky tone as he kissed Kenzie's neck slowly.
"An what is tha task?" Kenzie asked breathlessly once Kincaid made his way from her mouth and pushed the sleeves of her nightgown down her arms.
"Making sure ye're nae able to run away from me for the next twenty years." Kincaid said, lifting Kenzie and carrying her to a thicket he could tell had a hollow inside. He was gentle with Kenzie the first time he took her as his wife.
Kincaid helped Kenzie take her nightgown off and stared at her. She was pale under the moonlight and was absolutely beautiful to him. He had forced himself to wait for her and now she was going to be his alone. Kenzie began to shiver and feel nervous under Kincaid's gaze, perhaps she didn't meet his expectations or was lacking something. She covered her breasts with her arms and looked away, feeling shameful. Kincaid realized what she was doing and pulled her close again
"Yer the most beautiful women I've ever seen." Kincaid whispered sweetly, charm and sincerity were hard to mesh, but he was good at doing it. He kissed Kenzie and then knelt on the ground, the tartan spread out as a makeshift bed. He pulled Kenzie down with him and sat her on his knees, so that her chest was level with his face. He kissed her collarbone and then trailed kisses down her breastbone, while gently fondling her breasts. Kenzie gasped and arched her back when Kincaid took her left breast in his mouth for a moment, then did the same to her right. He grinned at her response, she was highly sensitive to such stimulus. His hands slid up her back and then down to her rear and pulled her hips forward so that she was now pressing against his hardening member. Kenzie let out a tiny moan and swivelled her hips against him. Kincaid ground out an oath, if she was trying that already, then she was more aroused than he had thought he had gotten her. He grinned and laid Kenzie on the tartan beneath them.
"Th' first time hurts a bit." Kincaid said softly, when his father had found out that his eldest boy was sexually active, he had sat down with him and explained things to him. Of course, with his father, it was more of a theatrical performance. But since his father hadn't tried to punish or shame him into stopping chasing girls, the very first real lesson he had was remembered with great clarity. It was also when his mother had explained the act itself to him, Kincaid suppressed a shudder. Having the talk with his father was bonding, having it with his mother was gag inducing. Especially knowing she was talking from the experience with her husband. This time Kincaid did shudder, but only because Kenzie was wriggling beneath him.
"That's fine. It won't hurt for very long. My maid Ellie, told me years ago, what is supposed to happen. Especially if ye love yer man and he loves ye in return." Kenzie said, her naiveté was amusing to him, but he didn't dare laugh at her. He pulled away and reached for the brooch holding his kilt together. Kenzie sat up to watch intently, which made Kincaid's eyebrow go up in pleased surprised. He shrugged off the one-shouldered garment and unbuckled his belt, noticing that Kenzie swallowed and looked away.
"Ye can watch, 'tis gratifying to know ye find me just as attractive as I find ye." Kincaid said, a smug grin sliding across his lips. Kenzie went red and stuttered incoherently for a moment before taking a deep breath to calm herself, making Kincaid's grin turn into a chuckle. He pulled his belt off and reached for Kenzie's hands. He guided her hands to his chest, letting her feel his muscles and slide along his skin, which he prided on keeping free of weathering and scars. He even used a lotion his mother used on her hands, to keep the raw silk feel of his skin soft. The lotion also kept his woads from fading longer. Kenzie traced the blue paint on his arm and followed it all the way to his wrist. Kenzie pulled his arm until he followed her to the ground again. She unbuckled his sword and placed in within reach of his right hand. Kenzie pulled his head down for another kiss, and lifted her hips to meet his. Kincaid groaned again and tugged off the remaining folds of his kilt. Kenzie glanced down and went stiff beneath him. Kincaid let a sigh rattle through his teeth, she'd gotten frightened.
"Will, will we fit?" Kenzie asked in a small voice, so that was it. Easy enough for him to work around.
"Aye, I'm made to fit. It'll only hurt for a mo'. Try to relax." Kincaid ground out. He had to be careful, if he hurt her over much, then it's be a very long time until he was able to convince her to lie with him again. He had every intention of remaining faithful, but some things just needed taken care of.
Kincaid took a deep breath and drew Kenzie's eyes to his face, not that he wasn't flattered by her staring at his more intimate parts, but she'd freeze up again if she wasn't distracted. Kissing her and letting his member slide against some very sensitive parts of her lower body, returned Kenzie to the wanton woman he was trying to make his. A few more gentle rubs and Kenzie was squirming and needy again. Kincaid took the chance and slid his full length inside her. She cried out as he grunted at how tight she was. He felt a slight barrier give way, this was expected, Kenzie had never known a man like this before. A little part of himself cheered in the back of his mind, he had never until now, been fully convinced of Laine's innocent dealings with Kenzie. Now he was.
Kenzie tried to pull away from him. The pain was still coming, and she couldn't handle it.
"Easy, love. Th' pain will fade. Try to stay still, moving makes it worse at first." Kincaid said hoarsely, Kenzie went still almost immediately.
"What did ye call me?' Kenzie asked with a gasp and a wince from the pain. Kincaid didn't answer, he pulled Kenzie's legs up around his hips and moved, making her cry out as he withdrew. She gasped again in surprise, when he thrust back inside her. "That… that feels…nice." Kenzie said, pausing each time he thrust again. He smirked to himself, then tossed his head to get his hair out of his eyes. Soon, he and Kenzie were moving in tandem, she caught on to his rhythm quickly. Kenzie's fingernails were digging into his shoulder blades and ribcage whenever she moved her hands. He hit his stride, his experience and stamina, allowed him to keep going even though Kenzie was already experiencing her first climax. Kincaid paused, a difficult task for him, and let Kenzie recover for a moment. As soon as the climax passed, Kincaid began moving again, harder and faster than before. He came forcefully, making Kenzie cry out as she climaxed again. He remained within her for a moment longer, then rolled off her to breathe in the night air like he had just surfaced from a deep water dive.
Kenzie rolled onto her side to face Kincaid, and snuggled against him.
"Ye called me 'Love'. Did ye mean it?" Kenzie asked quietly, sneaking a hand across Kincaid's chest. He reached up and caught her hand, pulling it to his mouth to kiss it as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, so that her head was on his shoulder. He dragged in a deep breath.
"Aye. I did. Everythin' I've done and will do, will be to keep you mine." Kincaid said, playing with Kenzie's hair. Kenzie sighed and kissed his neck.
"Ye've got it wrong. Ye're mine, and I'm very stubborn. I do love ye too." Kenzie said and fell asleep. Kincaid grinned until he fell asleep.
Kenzie woke up to sunshine and no Kincaid. A flash of panic went through her, until he slid through the thistle bushes with another tartan and food.
"Good, ye're awake. I brought ye something' to eat. We have to get movin' soon as possible." Kincaid said, then forgot everything when Kenzie sat up, still nude. He just stared at her chest and nearly dropped the flat oat cakes he had brought. She took the extra plaid and wrapped it around her in a very concealing and flattering dress. Flattering to Kincaid, it was still woven with the Macintosh design. He then noticed a small flaw in his plan. Kenzie didn't have any slippers and he hadn't though to bring anything to wrap her feet. Riding wouldn't do anything, but they'd have to walk sometimes. He put it in the back of his mind.
"Is something wrong, Kincaid?" Kenzie asked looking around, just in case there was an animal to cause that concerned look on his face.
"We may need to get ye some slippers or some socks." Kincaid said.
"Hand me my night dress. I can shred it and use that for my feet." Kenzie said simply. " The faster we can ride, the further we can get. We can't go far if we stop to get me shoes." she pointed out. Kincaid grinned at her and they sat to eat. After Kenzie had turned her nightdress into rags and bound her feet warmly, Kincaid mounted and sat her on his lap. He wanted to keep her away from anything that could pinch or pull on her. They rode for a few hours and took turns, once Kincaid found out that Kenzie could handle Black Adam. He could bind both of them to the saddle and one could rest while the other rode front. They were able to ride across land and weren't bound by the roads and trails, there being only them and the two horses. For a full day of hard riding and a night full of making love, they made good time back to Castle DunBroch. King Fergus wasn't pleased to see them, but he did let them stay for a day and a night and resupplied them. Merida and Queen Elinor were nowhere to be found. If Lady MacKenzie found out that either woman helped her wayward child, so in order to keep the stain of immorality away from Merida and her chances of a good marriage. Kenzie left a letter for both women and then they were off for Macintosh land.
I removed the other chapters in order to post one long chapter. Rating has gone up. Once I get the rest done, I'll post another mega chapter as well. Then there will be the removed parts that didn't allow for good story flow. Reviews are welcomed.