A Love to Discover (Loving in the Highlands 2)

'I am glad to hear that,' I tell the warriors. 'My aim now is to reach the Gharland Castle and to start my new life.'

'We will try to reach there as soon as possible,' Camron says. 'But I know that there is at least a three-day's way.'

'It is all right,' Elsie says. 'We can reach in three days, and it still will be perfect,' she looks at me and winks. I smile at her positivity and good nature. She is so beautiful in her green earasaid, her bright blue eyes shining happily, and her long blond hair looking like a waterfall, that I am sure the sun can go back under the cloud, and the surroundings will still be bright because of Elsie shining brighter than the sun.

I and Elsie go first, side by side, and the three warriors follow us. We go fast, and the horses are eager to gallop, too. I look to the side from time to time to see Elsie firmly sitting on her horse, her hair flying behind her, making her look like a fairy. She turns to look at me and smiles, bringing the scene to perfection.

Elsie

I love this new way of life that I have started to have. Right now, galloping to an unknown castle seems to be the most interesting adventure in my life, even though I would not feel so comfortable if Calem was not with me. A new place, a new castle, new people whom I have never even seen, nor heard about – it certainly is a little bit uncomfortable, but not now, not when the love of my life is with me, ready to stand by my side all the time. As we ride ahead, I try to imagine how they will welcome us, how they will host us, how the Laird will give his consent to our marriage, how we will get married, and where we will live. My mouth starts to hurt from so much smiling. I cannot stop grinning as I am so happy from the fantasies that I am having right now.

'My sunshine, you are smiling nonstop,' I hear Calem's voice from my side. 'I wish that you always smile, every day.'

'It will be,' I say, turning to look at him. 'I am smiling because I can already imagine our life together. You can also imagine, it will make you smile, too,' I add, winking at him.

He chuckles and stays silent again. I am sure he is imagining our life together, because he starts to smile, too.

Soon it is time to have some dinner. I am not sure how many hours we have been riding, but I feel hungry, and the sun is nearing the horizon.

We stop riding, find a beautiful green spot in the prairie and let the horses relax. There is a stream a bit to the side, and the horses start drinking from there immediately. Calem opens the food basket that Ainslee gave us, and all of us sit on the green grass to eat.

The warriors are also very hungry. They eat in silence, but I can see their appreciative eyes as they enjoy the delicious cooking of the best cook in the Bedigalhall Castle.

'We must save some for tomorrow, too,' Calem says, putting the remaining portion back into the basket. 'This is enough for now; don't you think so, my sunshine?' He adds, looking at me. I nod, trying to finish my food.

He puts the basket neatly by the roots of the tree, sits down by the tree and looks at me. I go and sit down on the grass by his side, and he hugs me.

The fresh air, the soothing sound of the stream, and the feeling of security with him by my side make the moment seem like a dream. I smile and put my head onto his shoulder, closing my eyes. We can take a rest for now, and then when we are rested, we will continue our way.

The warriors lie down on the ground a bit far from us, so that they will not disturb our privacy with their presence.

Calem

Feeling Elsie's slow and relaxed heartbeat and calm breathing is the best evaluation of my self-confidence. I am sure now that she feels safe and secure by my side. She has reclined onto me and closed my eyes. Her even breathing means that she has fallen asleep. I stay that way, afraid to move and to wake her up. I want her to take her rest as much as she needs it. Even though we stay here for the night, we will, as I will never disturb my sunshine's sleep. I will let her sleep until she wants to wake up.

The surroundings are so calm and quiet, that the gentle singing of the birds can be heard from the branches of the trees. I close my eyes for a second, but when I open them again, it is dark. I realize that I have slept, and now it is the middle of the night. Elsie is still asleep in the same position. I guess she was very tired from so much riding.