The Holly & The Ivy by Tanya Anne Crosby

Author:Tanya Anne Crosby [Crosby, Tanya Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2018-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

December 22 1148

THE WINTER SOLSTICE marked the shortest day and the longest night of the year, when the day descended into darkness and the night grew cold and long. But, from this point forward the days grew longer, and the nights grew shorter. As a dewine, this time was known to her people as the twilight of the year, the time between times. It was a time for rebirth, a time for atonement. Therefore, their Feill Fionnain was little different from her own Yule Sabbat.

To brighten the endless night, Elspeth witnessed a true northern tradition: the lighting of the cruach-theine—the bonfire. Indeed, as Liana had proclaimed, it was the biggest conflagration she ever did see. Enlisting the help of his burliest clansmen, they felled entire trees and arranged them carefully, so that, once lit, the flames shot as high as the pinewoods themselves. Father and firstborn son hoisted the last of the Yule logs, hurling it into the wood stack as though it were no more than a twig, and then each patted the other on the back.

Amidst so much laughter and revelry, it wasn’t long before Elspeth found herself wishing they never had to return to the inevitable problems that awaited them at Aldergh. Alas, Morwen was still out there, scheming, her sisters still needed saving, and England remained in turmoil.

Here, however, in the far northern reaches of Scotia, with Malcom’s family, it was easy to forget so much strife. The mood at Chreagach Mhor was carefree and joyful, with so many smiling faces, except one: All night long, Alex MacKinnon appeared to be glaring at Elspeth from behind one shrub or another. And every time he met her gaze, he scurried away. Elspeth wondered if anyone else had noticed his strange behavior.

At the moment, Malcom stood conversing with his father and friends. All the while, father and son shared winsome glances. For her part, Page flitted here and there, reminiscing with Cora. Beside her, Liana sat recounting tales about Malcom and his family. She told Elspeth about a little girl who would never put on her clothes and a hulking cousin by the name of Broc Ceannfhionn, who always seemed to have fleas. Also, during the course of their discussion, she learned that the braided loaves they’d kneaded and baked yesterday would be passed about tonight, and before taking a wee bite, each of the household must speak aloud one thing they were most grateful for that had transpired during the year.

Elspeth already knew what she would say, and whilst she practiced in her head, one after another, Malcom’s kinsmen were quick to come over and introduce themselves. Eventually, she met every MacKinnon, save Alex, and after a time, Malcom and his father came over, and Iain MacKinnon offered Elspeth yet another hug, squeezing her as vigorously as he dared.

“Malcom tells me ye’re considering staying to birth your bairn.” He pressed a hand to his heart, and continued. “Daughter mine, it would be the most humbling gift of all, and I would cherish the memory.

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