All the members of the clan are outside now, including the maids. Forba hugs Elsie with tears in her eyes, saying how much she will miss the blond angel. The clan members are happy to see that Elsie has made up her mind to get married and to be happy. They all wish her happiness and love in her future life.
At last, Elsie hugs Megan for the last time and comes towards me. Her blue eyes are shining.
'Elsie, I will take you to Gherland castle in Mcdougald lands. After marriage we will have our own lands,' I tell her and admire the beautiful smile that she gives me.
We are ready to go. All of us mount our horses and go out of the castle gates.
Elsie
I cannot believe that it happened. I cannot believe that it is happening. As my horse walks gracefully out of the Domnhall castle's gates together with the other horses, I look back at the castle where I have spent many happy and interesting days, full of joy and adventures. I smile, as I remember the days that I have spent there with my sister, with Forba and Anabel, Sloan and the other members of his clan. I smile, as I remember the days that I have spent there with Calem – days that were so intense with feelings and joy. I laugh under my nose when I remember how I wanted to create memories with Calem so that I would have something to remember after he would be gone.
And now, I am leaving together with him, taking all the sweet memories with me. I also take all the memories from the castle, too, as I know that I will always remember my days at Domnhall castle with a smile on my face. I have indeed been happy here.
As we move farther from the castle, I become more and more interested in what lies ahead of me in my future. I turn and look at the menacing look of the gentlest person I have ever met, who is riding on my right side, and a happy smile covers my lips. If I am with him, then everything is certainly going to be all right. I feel protected.
Skena is riding her horse on my left side. She looks calm and is silent. I have seen her in the castle once or twice, as she was mainly working outside in the gardens, and she has always been silent. I do not know anything about her.
'Skena?' I gently ask. She immediately looks at me willingly, trying to understand if I need something.
'Yes, dear Elsie,' she says, looking ready to take any order from me.
'Please tell me about yourself,' I say with interest. 'We will have a topic to speak about, and also, it is interesting for me.'
'Yes, yes, of course,' she says. 'The way is long and can get boring. I will make sure that it is not boring for you.'
'Thank you so much, Skena, you are very kind,' I nod and smile.
'I have been working for the MacKinnon clan ever since I was a young girl,' she starts her story. 'My husband was also working at the castle, as a gardener. I was helping him. Too bad that he passed away.'
'Oh, I am so sorry,' I feel bad for the woman.
'Thank you, my dear girl,' Skena nods. 'Laird Sloan knows that I am still hopeful to get married sometimes and to be happy, that is why he put me next to you to go to the lands where I have never been before, and I really hope that I will find a good husband there.'
'I really hope so, Skena,' I say. 'You are a good woman, and you deserve to be happy.'
'Oh, you are such a sweet girl,' she smiles at me. 'You also deserve to be happy, and I am so happy for you that you have found the love of your life. May love and happiness accompany you throughout your life!'
I start thinking about her words. I have found the love of my life… Well, it is true that I feel comfortable around Calem. It is also true that I miss him whenever he is away. But I do not know if I am in love with him or not. Even if not, I do not worry about it, as the positive and warm feelings that I have towards him are also nice and fulfilling.
'The weather is nice and pleasant, my dear Elsie,' I hear Calem's deep voice by my side. 'Do you want to take a rest for some time? We can sit on the green grass by the river and enjoy the beautiful view.'
I agree that the weather is wonderful. The bright rays of the sunshine fall down on my face, as there is not a single cloud in the sky. The soothing sound of the nearby river can be heard, and the high green grass is like a carpet.