Aiiane
She turned back to the assembled and waved a merry good-bye, "Happy Christomas to each and everyone. And may the blessings of Jah be upon you all for the coming new year!"
As she was waving, she did not see her handkerchief fall from where she'd hastily stuffed it into her cuff and it fell, unnoticed, to the ground as she left the Hall. Her footman had the door open and the step out before she gained the carriage; and he assisted she and Josina into the coach.
Before getting settled in for the long ride to Carlisle, Aiiane and Josina waved merrily to everyone from the windows as the carriage smoothly pulled away. Nicolas and Toby had thoughtfully reheated the bricks and prepared the padded seats into comfortable beds for the two ladies.
After seeing Josina tucked in and saying their prayers together, Aiiane sat for a while longer, looking out over the snow-covered landscape, thinking of past Christomas', of friends now long gone, of a future of which she had hopes but no certainty.
As she was waving, she did not see her handkerchief fall from where she'd hastily stuffed it into her cuff and it fell, unnoticed, to the ground as she left the Hall. Her footman had the door open and the step out before she gained the carriage; and he assisted she and Josina into the coach.
Before getting settled in for the long ride to Carlisle, Aiiane and Josina waved merrily to everyone from the windows as the carriage smoothly pulled away. Nicolas and Toby had thoughtfully reheated the bricks and prepared the padded seats into comfortable beds for the two ladies.
After seeing Josina tucked in and saying their prayers together, Aiiane sat for a while longer, looking out over the snow-covered landscape, thinking of past Christomas', of friends now long gone, of a future of which she had hopes but no certainty.
He stopped on the bottom step, ready to make the rounds of the tables laden with goodies when he heard a familiar voice!
James loved squirrels! A band of squirrels for Uncle Kel's tavern! 
This be Neonea Wallace, my cousin! She is Uncle Kel and Aunty Hik's new daughter! They asked her if 
) and we waited for entrance. Donal, wanting to be just like his dad, tried to pound on the door as well, only eliciting a small knock.
)
Smiling that at last she could do more than sit sedately in the sleigh and watch, Hikenai emerged from the warm covers long enough to place the holly and mistletoe Kelster had found in a bag. The snow was deep in drifts around her feet and she was glad Neo had stayed in the sleigh. She watched as Kelster selected an enormous tree for the castle, and was happy to see Henry rush over to help Kel handle it. The great tree fell quickly, and while sad to see it come down, Hikenai knew it's beauty would soon fill the hall in Wallace castle. 
This was Hikenai's favorite time of the day, when she and Kel would rinse the scent of ale and whisky from their hands, would hurry to the stables where the young boys would have the horses saddled and ready, and they would mount them quickly, sometimes only breaking their clasped hands long enough to get settled in their saddle. Then Hik and Kel would ride back to Wallace Castle, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but always with one aim in mind.
Then they would file from the church, and down the steps to the gazebo in the church yard, where Kelster would stand waiting for Hikenai to take her place next to him. This was Hikenai's wedding day and she could remember no other day in her life, in which she had felt so beautiful, so loved, and so full of hope for the future. When she and Kel returned to Wallace Castle later that night, it would be as husband and wife!
Seeing one missive having arrived from the south, Hikenai broke open the seal and began to read news of another couple, newly married, enjoying their...............and Hikenai's face fell. She sat blankly for a moment and then picked up Kel's quill and ink pot. There was already clean parchment before her, so Hikenai began, hand writing invitations to close friends and kin. A tear slid down her cheek and splashed on her collar bone, as she whispered a prayer for two she knew would not be in attendance at her wedding, the groom having entered death's corridor, leaving his bride alone and grieving. As Hikenai shook her head at the unfathomable loss, she knew she would not forget this man..............
