--Blythe_williams
Blythe came through the great hall, her skirts rustling quietly as she hurried along, in search of Lady Hikenai. She had been making lists all morning of the things Hikenai wanted to tend to when they visited Hawkshead. Recently Lady Hik had been given the title to the little country barony. It was a quaint, out of the way place, and Blythe looked forward to visiting there. Already there had been murmurs in the servants' quarters at Wallace castle that Lady Hik intended to leave Sir James in charge at Hawkshead! Bythe wondered at that! It did disturb her a little. Sir James no longer drank, but tucked away, on the moors of Westmorland, might he begin to feel reckless? Would he take the cork from the bottle, and in his solitude, and isolation, feel entitled to the drink, or two, that might always lead to excess?
Ah, she thought, time enough to worry about that later on, if it even comes to pass.
She smiled, thinking of how Sir James's handsome face always glowed when he saw her friend, Lorena Lanius. Lady Hik would surely not part them! If only Lorena were not married to that blackhearted Luc Lanius! No matter he had not been heard from for nearly a year! He was too evil to be dead and gone. Blythe shivered, wondering when that cruel man would reappear...but her attention was quickly taken by the mouse, calmly perched on the sideboard!
Ah, I must find Felix! And off she went in search of Lord Kel' furry purring potentate!
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Ah, she thought, time enough to worry about that later on, if it even comes to pass.
She smiled, thinking of how Sir James's handsome face always glowed when he saw her friend, Lorena Lanius. Lady Hik would surely not part them! If only Lorena were not married to that blackhearted Luc Lanius! No matter he had not been heard from for nearly a year! He was too evil to be dead and gone. Blythe shivered, wondering when that cruel man would reappear...but her attention was quickly taken by the mouse, calmly perched on the sideboard!
Ah, I must find Felix! And off she went in search of Lord Kel' furry purring potentate!
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) 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.
This be Neonea Wallace, my cousin! She is Uncle Kel and Aunty Hik's new daughter! They asked her if 
James loved squirrels! A band of squirrels for Uncle Kel's tavern! 
)
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..............
