Page 107 of The Warrior
When Uilleam finished his tune, Duncan and Moira turned to face each other.
Their marriage would be blessed by the church, along with all the others that had taken place over the last year, when Father Brian came on his annual visit to the island. Since the marriage contract had already been signed, all that remained was for them to say their vows before witnesses. In the contract, Duncan had given Moira his cottage, which was all he had. Moira had been inordinately pleased, though hertochar, dowry, was worth far more.
Duncan and Moira first exchanged rings, circles with no end that represented eternal love. Then they held up their right hands and joined them, palm-to-palm, entwining their fingers. Moira locked gazes with him as he wound a long, cream-colored strip of linen around their wrists three times.
“I, Duncan MacDonald, take you, Moira Catriona, great-granddaughter of the Lord of the Isles, granddaughter of Hugh…,” Duncan began. Moira’s name took considerably longer than his to recite because of her illustrious lineage. He saw the amusement in her eyes as he concentrated to say it all correctly. Finally, he reached the essential promise. “…to be a faithful and loyal husband until God shall separate us by death.”
Duncan said the traditional final words though he believed that even death could not separate them. Their souls were entwined and bound together like their hands were now.
“I, Moira MacDonald,” she said simply, breaking the rules as she liked to do, “take you, Duncan Ruadh MacDonald, to be my husband, before God, our chieftain, and all our clansmen. I promise to be a faithful and loyal wife to you until God shall separate us by death.”
A sense of peace settled over Duncan. At long last, Moira was truly his. As he leaned down to kiss his wife, the hall erupted in cheers. The kiss was like stepping into warm summer sunshine from the cold winter that had been his life without her.
Uilleam MacCrimmon took up his pipes again as their clansmen surrounded them, wishing them happiness with the traditional blessings.
“Guma fada beò sibh.” Long may you both live. “Guma slàn dhuibh.” Health to you both. “Móran làithean dhut is sìth.” May you be blessed with long life and peace. “Le do mhaitheas is le do nì bhith fàs.” May you grow old with goodness and with riches.
Under Duncan’s glare, the men were cautious with the traditional kisses to the bride and limited themselves to circumspect pecks on Moira’s cheek.
“You’ve taken my best man from me,” Connor said as he took his turn and kissed his sister.
“I have,” Moira said, smiling up at Duncan in a way that made him feel all soft inside.
Connor turned to him, and they gripped forearms in the ancient greeting of warriors and friends.
“I don’t know what I’ll do without ye,” Connor said, his eyes intent on Duncan. “But it warms my heart to see ye happy. No man deserves it more.”
Ian and Alex had joined them, rounding out the foursome.
“Well, Connor, ’tis obvious to the rest of us what ye ought to do,” Alex said, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. “’Tis time ye found a fine lass to take that dreary look off your face.”
“As chieftain, you’re slacking in your duty to produce heirs,” Ian added.
“If you’ve forgotten,” Alex said, “the activity we’re talking about is a good deal more enjoyable with a partner.”
Connor’s laugh was strained. “The times are still too unsettled for me to know which marriage alliance will be best for the clan.”
He went on about the rebellion and court factions fighting, but they had heard Connor’s reasons for waiting before, and none of them was listening.
“There’s nothing that says that when ye choose a wife,” Ian said, slapping Connor on the back, “ye can’t serve the clanandplease yourself.”
“My father and grandfather pleased themselves, and look what that did,” Connor said.
The prior chieftains’ relations with multiple women had caused the clan endless strife and grief. Connor was determined not to follow the same path.
“I believe I won our wager,” Connor went on, changing the subject. “Pay up, lads.”
“’Tis hardly fair when ye told Duncan when to wed,” Alex said.
“One of the few advantages of being chieftain,” Connor said, and held his hand out.
Duncan was pleased to see Connor’s humor returning.
“I don’t know what made ye bring Sarah with ye, since ye didn’t know that she is Duncan’s sister,” Moira said, and rested her hand on her brother’s arm. “But I’m so glad ye did.”
“’Tis hard to say nay to that wee lass,” Connor said, shaking his head. “Sarah wailed and wept until I gave in.”
Duncan expected there would be shouting at times between Moira and Sarah, as they were both strong-willed and Sarah was unaccustomed to a mother’s firm hand. But he was equally certain that there would be plenty of love between them as well to smooth their way.
