From a Knight to a Laird Chapter 10 A Druid
Claire Jamie Raymond Tianna
It is time to set up the tree and, I watch as Jamie opens the box it comes in. He touches it and frowns.
"But, it will be beautiful." Merlin assures him. He shows him and, the rest of us how to place the legs on the bottom to hold it up. He places it where Merlin and Raymond indicates.
"It doesn't look like a tree." Jamie comments.
"Well, it must be fluffed out." Merlin explains. He shows us how to pull the limbs out and pull and shape them. We all work on it until it does resemble a fir tree.
"Now, for the lights." Raymond says. He shows us how to string them around. I recall from before but, Jamie, Paul, and Tianna have no idea. We soon have the lights placed. We then carefully hang the fragile glass bulbs after also stringing tinsel. Merlin plugs it in and we all sigh at the beauty of it.
It still seems a queer thing, a tree in the house. But, I canna deny the beauty of it. I stand back and exam it.
"Wait until you see it at dark, when it will be the only light in the room." Claire says coming up behind me and wrapping her arms around me. I cover her hands and we just watch the tree for a moment.
"Jamie, I am going to have a private talk with Tianna. We will just be down the street."
"What! Alone!" I spin around and face her.
"Yes. We will be safe. Will be no more then just five minutes away. I promise."
"They will be safe there Jamie. It will be okay." Raymond adds. I hadn't heard him enter. "I know exactly where they will be. And, remember, this is a safer time."
I bite at my lip but, know he is right. It is just sae hard. "Ye willna do anything foolish?"
"I won't. I swear it." She reaches up to kiss me and I sigh into her mouth.
When Claire suggests we walk down to the little cafe' for a private talk, I expect Paul to protest. He doesn't, but pulls me close, holding me tight, before kissing my forehead. "Be safe." He whispers in Latin.
"A promise." I reply. I am still a bit nervous as we walk out but, not as much as the first time. Seems the fact I know where we are going helps. We walk in and find a table in a corner.
"I wanted to ask you if, well, if you were okay with making love to Paul last night. Since,you told me you didn't want to before." She explains.
I flush as the waitress comes up. Claire orders a pot of tea and, when she leaves, I answer her. "I didnt, not at first. I told him no. But, then I..I woke up to the sound of you and Jamie. I tried to ignore the heat between my legs. I just finally couldn't. So, I woke him up."
I don't know whether to be proud or mortified. It takes me a moment to respond. "I am sorry we woke you. Were you really alright with.."
"I was. He apologized. Over and over. I don't think he will do such again. I still feel some anger with him. Will it get better?"
I laugh. "Eventually. They can sure make us furious, these husbands of ours. Once, in his time, I got so mad at Jamie, that I threatened to kill him if he did what he diid again. I also denied him my bed. I didn't let him back in until he swore an oath to me. They can be trying but, they love us."
She comes up to us. A strange women with her blond hair pulled back in a ponytail. "So sorry to interrupt. I overheard part of your conversation. Would you two be travelers"
I stare out her, my mouth wide open. "And if we were, why would we tell a stranger?"
"Sorry, I should have introduced myself. My name is Jennifer. I am a druid. My sisters and I danced at Craig na Dun a week ago. We knew someone was coming through. Four or five travelers. The pull was very strong. So, we have been keeping our eyes and ears open for them."
"Please join us Jennifer. I am Claire and this is Tianna. We came through with our husbands and one other."
"Ahhh, and are you finding this time okay? Have you found lodging?"
"We have, thank you. We are staying with Tianna's father, Raymond."'
"Raymond! You are Raymond's daughter! That means you are from ancient Rome. Wow!"
"She is. How do you know Raymond?"
"Oh. I found him, in the deep traveler's sleep, the first time he came through. He lay in the center of the stones."
"Amazing. Would you like to accompany us back?"
I didn't hesitate. I knew taking her home wasn't one of the things Jamie would consider foolish. She has the air of Mrs Graham. I trust her instantly.
"Ah Jamie, Paul see they are back." I say as I hear the ladies walk up.
"Raymond, we ran into a friend of your's. Jennifer, the druid dancer."
"Jennifer!" She runs over to me and I lift her up and spin her around. "It has been."
"A year." She says with a laugh. "How fortuitous it was to run into your daughter and her friend. We knew a large group was coming through. Just didnt know it was going to be you and yours."
"It wasn't me. It was my daughter, son-in-law, and their friends and," I grin at her," and Merlin." Her eyes get so wide I feer they may pop out.
"At your service, ma'am." He walks in and bows low to her.
"Oh Christ. I think I may need something strong to drink and the whole story." I pour her some whiskey and we all take seats in the living room. Where we tell her all. Starting from when Claire first went through up to the present.
"So, you are probably adjusting better then the others." She says later. We find ourselves alone in the kitchen.
"I am. There are some differences but they aren't as jaring as they are to Jamie and the others. I have a favor to ask you."
"Well two. Please come for Christmas. It will make Raymond's day. And, well, I have went shopping with Merlin for what we need. But, there are some more personal things I would like to get for Tianna and I. Things I wouldn't be comfortable buying in front Merlin."
"Merlin! I am still not over that. But, of course luv. I would be happy to take you shopping and, would love to come for Christmas." We smile at each other, already fast friends.
