Handfasting, Celebrating & Whisky Kisses


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Gathering Meadow Blessing Stone

After the calling of the clans Sam and Jules gathered with the five other engaged couples that also included Mason and Marsaili. The Laird had hired a professional photographer to take pictures and video for all the couples. It would be a mass ceremony though.

The night was beautiful. The weather was cooperating and there was nary a cloud in the sky. A light cool breeze blew, just enough to tease the hair but not so much to mess it. The moon was high in the sky and the estate was so far from the nearest town that millions of stars twinkled in the inky black sky.

All six couples gathered around the blessing stone.

Sam looked to Jules and still could not believe that they were doing this. Part of him wished he had known about handfasting and had obtained the right licenses to make the marriage legal in Canada. But those took time to get if you were not a citizen of Scotland.

However, Sam was glad that Ailis and Gillebrìde would view this as an official wedding and allow them to stay in the same room from tonight forward. Last night had been lonely knowing Jules was in another room that was off limits to him. They would be in the Heather room tonight. Somehow that name was fitting too. They could take a roll in the heather so to speak without fear of being caught unawares by anyone.

Jules looked at Sam and could not believe they were actually doing this. She never realized just how caught up in romance she could get. Perhaps it was just this place. Something about it was so different than their normal life. Almost like a fairy tale. She was a princess marrying her prince charming.

She almost laughed but covered it with a small clearing of her throat as she wondered what Allie would think. Allie still thought of Sam as her very own Prince Charming. If Allie could only see Sam now that thought would completely solidify.

Their attention turned to the Laird as he began with the blessing.

Gillebrìde spoke the blessing first in Gaelic then repeated it in English "In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony."

"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences."

"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home. The heat of the heart's passion. The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times."

"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake. The swift excitement of the river. The refreshing cleansing of the rain. The all encompassing passion of the sea."

"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North. Firm foundation on which to build. Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives. A stable home to which you may always return."

"Each of these blessings emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union."

Then he called for each couple to clasp hands and hold them out. Sam's left hand took hold of Jules' right hand. Gillebrìde went to each of the six couples and looped and tied their tartans. Sam and Jules were the last to have their hands bound with the tartan as Gillebrìde tied intricate knots.

Returning to the stone Gillebrìde then intoned with a strong voice for all to hear "Now you are bound one to the other for a year and a day with a knot not easy to break. Take the time of binding before the final vows are made to learn what you need to know and to grow in wisdom and love. So that your marriage will be strong. So that your love will last in this life and beyond."

Pipes and drums erupted in merry sounds as the crowd cheered. Sam and Jules were not quite sure what was expected next. But they watched as the other couples kissed.

Following suit, Sam pulled Jules close and kissed her passionately. Families surged forward and moved all the couples to the celebration area that had been set up with food and drink offering congratulations to them as they went. Sam and Jules found themselves surrounded by Blaze, Winds, Jim and Heather.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Gathering Meadow – Celebration Area

Jules and Sam were ushered to a table that also contained Mason, Marsaili, Blaze, Winds, Jim, Heather, Wynfreda and Wallace. Soon food and drink appeared. Blaze poured everyone a whisky and stood to give a toast to the couples.

When Blaze set the glass of whisky in front of Marsaili she shook her head. She held up her cup of and said "I prefer to drink ginger ale tonight."

Wallace and Wynfreda looked at her perplexed. Marsaili loved the family's whisky.

Sam went to reach for a glass of whisky but found that Jules hand went with him. He laughed "I guess we should have given this a little forethought. We bound our dominate hands together."

Jules nodded "Yeah it will make things a tad awkward."

Sam nodded as they both picked up a glass of some of the finest Scotch whisky they had ever tasted with their non-dominant hands. It was a boon that it was distilled by the Mac'IlleMhìcheil's.

Blaze looked to Sam and Jules and then to Mason and Marsaili then toasted "May the best you've ever seen be the worst you'll ever see. May the mouse never leave your pantry with a tear-drop in his eye. May you always keep healthy and hearty until you're old enough to die. May you always be just as happy as we wish you now to be."

They all downed the whisky and Marsaili sipped her ginger ale.

Jim poured a round for everyone then stood and toasted "May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine upon your window pane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near to you and may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

They all downed the whisky and Marsaili sipped her ginger ale.

Heather filled their glasses again then toasted "If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. So let it be!"

They all downed the whisky and Marsaili sipped her ginger ale.

Wallace stood and refilled everyone's glass and toasted "A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage. May you be healthy all your days. May you be blessed with long life and peace. May you grow old with goodness and with riches."

They all downed the whisky and Marsaili sipped her ginger ale.

Wynfreda did the honors next and toasted "May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight on you!"

They all downed the whisky and Marsaili sipped her ginger ale.

Winds stood and wobbled a bit as he filled all the glasses with the smoothest whisky he had ever had. He lifted his glass and grinned at Sam and then Mason. "I be the last man standing. All my buddies are married. For that we must toast."

Mason, Sam, Jim and Blaze all slapped the table in unison and said "Here, here."

Then the five guys all downed the whisky.

Jules said "Come now Winds. Where is the toast to Sam and Mason?"

Winds refilled the glassed and then bowed wobbly to Jules "My dear lady a thousand pardons."

He looked thoughtful or wasted depending on how much whisky one had consumed. Marsaili was the only sober one at this point and she thought he was definitely wasted.

A grin spread across his face and then Winds said "May those who love you, love you. And those who don't love you, may God turn their hearts. And if he doesn't turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles. So you will know them by their limping."

Laughter burst out as they all downed the whisky and Marsaili sipped her ginger ale.

Mason said "Blondie could really use that one. He could steer clear of all limping folk."

The toasts and the whisky continued to flow as the music filtered around them. The group celebrated with laughter, food and way too much whisky.

When the festivities started to draw to a close both Sam and Jules were having difficulty standing as were the others. But they had the added awkwardness of having their hands bound as did Mason and Marsaili.

Sam slurred out "So Marsaili when do we get to take the binding off."

Marsaili was somehow in Mason's arms now. Mason was so wasted that he insisted that he carry her. She smiled, it was devious but Sam and Jules were so wasted she could not resist. She answered "Not for twenty-four hours. You have to spend a full day bound."

Sam and Jules looked at one another, laughed and ended up falling ungracefully to the ground. They really should have asked before now. Oh this was gonna be tricky and unwieldy. Undressing would be impossible.

Jules and Sam could not seem to coordinate standing with their hands bound. So Blaze and Winds helped them up and the entire group began to stagger back to the house.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Heather Room

Somehow Sam and Jules made it into the room and both collapsed onto the bed in a heap. Sam rolled over to face Jules. He brushed her hair out of her face. Then leaned in and kissed her.

He pulled back and said happily "Well Mrs. Braddock you want to consum … soncon … comsume … ah hell you wanna have sex."

Jules laughed "Such pretty words Sam. Words like those just make a girl swoon."

Sam grinned cockily "Yeah. I'm smooth."

"No Sam the shiskey was wmooth" Jules slurred.

Leaning in and kissing Jules passionately Sam let his free hand roam over her gown clad breasts. When he pulled back he saw the aroused daze of Jules' sable brown eyes. "Don't need words when I have hips and lands" Sam said in a gravelly voice that betrayed just how much kissing Jules had affected him too.

Jules sighed "Good thing you're wearing a kilt."

In the next few minutes working together awkwardly they had shed essentials such as sword, boxers and panties. They lay on the bed next facing each other with their bound hands above their heads.

Sam's whisky laden breath breathed out "Jules Braddock I love you. You make me the happiest man in this whole wide world."

Jules stared into Sam's cobalt eyes that were darkened with passion "I love you to Prince Charming."

Their lips met in whisky kisses. Slowly it built passion as big and hot as the bonfire from the calling of the clans. Sam's hand found its way under her gown. Jules' hand found its way under his kilt. Both were so ready for one another.

Jules breathed out "Take me. Take me now. I'm yours forever."

Sam needed no further inducement and buried himself in Jules. It had been so long. It felt so right. He was home. They were one. Their souls sang the same song and moved to the rhythm of their bodies as they consummated their marriage.

They reached the pinnacle together. It was higher and more powerful than they had ever experienced. Sam called out "Jules" as Jules called out "Sam."

Sam's body collapsed on top of Jules. It took him a moment to gather enough energy to roll to the side. Jules rolled with him and her head found its place over his heart.

They both quickly dropped into a deep, sated sleep.