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Alainn embraced her Aunt Siobhan and the other woman warmly returned the affection for clearly their love was mutual. They stood there for a time simply holding tight to one another. Alainn knew the woman wanted to speak to Alainn regarding the loss of her child. She saw it in Siobhan’s expressive blue eyes and felt it in her touch. Her aunt had written her many letters since that fateful day when she’d lost her newborn son. Her understanding had meant a great deal to Alainn and her many words of consolation were a comfort to her.
Her aunt, Lady Siobhan O’Brien, had suffered the loss of five babies and all of them had lived scarcely longer than her own wee Cian. Alainn had been undeniably displeased at the spirit of Shylie O’Rorke for adamantly insisting she must read the emotional and telling letter from Siobhan, but now she was now grateful to the spirit-girl.
Barely having thought of Shylie, she saw the spirit appear and she was even now standing beside her older sister Siobhan and staring up at her with love and affection. Siobhan did not possess the ability to see spirits, so she was apparently unaware of her younger sister’s spectral presence.
At the moment Siobhan was staring at Alainn with noticeable concern in her eyes. “You are vexingly thin, Alainn! Are you not yet recovered, dear girl?”
“I am not unwell, Aunt Siobhan, do not be fretful for me! I am pleased to see you again as I have missed you much these months.”
“And I you!”
Rory had come to join them and his wife, Brigid was on his arm. They both appeared happy and Alainn was thankful one of the O’Brien lads seemed to be involved in a marriage with no turbulence. Alainn went to Rory and put her arms around his neck. He held her tightly and she felt his grief for her. Always Rory had been the kindest and gentlest soul and she realized how greatly he had been affected by their loss for he loved both her and Killian. Alainn embraced Brigid and smiled warmly at the attractive red-haired young woman.
Riley and Mary had entered the immense great hall and her grandfather was there also. Soon there was much chattering and many conversations happening. When Hugh O’Brien pompously entered the room his eyes immediately went to Alainn.
“Christ, Niall, have you no food in this part of the country then; sure your granddaughter is as thin as a motherless waif and where the hell is your husband then, woman?”
Alainn did not return the man’s hurried embrace, nor did she respond to his gruff manner or either of his comments. She was relieved when Killian finally stepped into the room, and when their eyes met he smiled approvingly at her dark green gown, and her long blonde hair pulled to the side and wound with matching green ribbon.
Killian and his uncle shook hands and there seemed to be less animosity between the two of them now. Surprisingly, she was thankful for that. At one time they had been very close, and Hugh had acted as Killian’s father for the past decade. It was only the many events that had happened when she and Killian had first fallen in love that had created a great division between the two headstrong and stubborn men. Although she would always harbor a great dislike for the arrogant, abrasive man and would certainly never sing his praises, she hoped for Killian’s sake they could at least be on outwardly civil terms.
When Alainn looked at Mary and Brigid both speaking with their mother-in-law, her heart squeezed for being a seer allowed a person to hear thoughts and be privy to many secrets. She attempted what she hoped was a convincing smile, and when Killian noticed he went to her and took her hand in his.
“I knew you would be well-pleased to see our aunt, Alainn. I know how you have missed her. I had hoped to have your dear friend Molly travel with them as well, but apparently Margaret is ailing and needs Molly to help her tend to the many younger children.”
“Aye, and there’s to be another wee Kilkenny, which is why Margaret has been faring poorly, though she’s not typically ill when she carries. If only I was there to check upon her perhaps I would learn if there is something amiss with Margaret or with the babe.”
“Perhaps we might visit them sometime in the near future, if it would be to your liking?”
“Aye, I’d like that very much, Killian.”
They were called to the table and the extravagant meal was soon served in the great hall. The priest from Castle O’Donnel, Father Sean, spoke an endearing grace of gratitude. Alainn smiled at the man for she would always be tremendously beholden to him. His visits and kind compassionate words after they’d lost their child brought her solace even now.
He had also informed the group of Killian’s charitable deeds these past days. “Killian O’Brien, you are to be greatly commended for offering uncommon kindness and bounty to the people of your chiefdom. They are surely much appreciative of your generosity. Although you are frequently praised for the fair treatment and concern for the sustenance and welfare of your people, you have gone out of your way to see each of the clansmen and villager’s families have been given extra during this holy time.”
Killian seemed uncomfortable with the many praises being given to him, but he humbly replied, “It was something my father always did; I remember as a boy my entire family would go to each home to offer extras during the feasts of Christ’s mass. I believe, as he did, it is the time of the year to share our prosperity.”
Everyone raised their glasses to Killian and Alainn beamed up at him, proud of him once more for being a truly good man and a kind chieftain.
As they all sat partaking of the plentiful food and warm conversation, a servant offered Alainn another goblet of wine, but she politely declined, and she glanced at Danhoul who sat beside her grandfather at the table. He smiled at her and she was thankful for his friendship.
She listened to a conversation being held between many of the menfolk and she caught herself feeling regretful. Since she’d been distanced from Castle O’Donnel, she felt excluded from much of Killian’s life. At one time, Killian would have confided this most important information with her.
“I have heard you are to take audience with the English king, Killian?” Hugh O’Brien questioned his nephew.
Killian glanced at Alainn a cautious sideways glance, but he responded. “Aye, soon in the new year, it is planned to be so.”
“And who else will make this journey to London; what others will take audience with him?”
“Brendan O’Leary, who sits on the council of the clans will travel to London but, because of his affiliation with the Fitzgeralds, he’ll not take audience with the king. The Chieftains of Clan O’Neill, and Clan Gallagher will be present with me, and of course there will be guards and soldiers to accompany us to the castle gates, but they’ll surely not be allowed within the castle grounds.”
“And do you feel this is a wise consideration; do you believe you will be safe?
“We will remain cautious, Uncle.”
Is the English king to be trusted?”
“It is hopeful, though men in power are perhaps never entirely trustworthy.” Killian suggested as he responded to his uncle.
“But is he aware you and the Chieftain of Clan O’Neill were present at the battle where so many English soldiers were killed?”
Killian glared at his uncle for daring to mention any part of that fateful day.
Lady Siobhan, always a diplomatic and intuitive woman, noticed and chastised her husband. “Hugh must we talk politics and mention such unpleasantness on this the most sacred of times?”
The man seemed to have not thought the subject so objectionable until he looked upon Alainn’s face and saw how pale she had become. Apparently not possessing any tact whatsoever he was typically abrasive and unfeeling in his observations.
“Surely the wee chitter-wren eats more heartily than your wife, Killian!” Hugh proclaimed as he glanced at Alainn’s plate, “Tis little wonder she’s become so altogether scrawny. You might have your tailor create some better-fitting gowns if you can’t find a way to put some meat on her bones.”
Alainn stared at the man and his usual disparaging remarks, and then turned away. Killian was apparently less than pleased as he took note of his uncle’s plate now heaped high and nearly overflowing to the point of gluttony.
“Not everyone consumes the quantity of food as a Baleen whale, Uncle, and since you draw attention to clothing, I’d suggest the tailor at Castle O’Brien might be rebuked for allowing his chieftain to be seen in garments so constricting the fastenings cannot be clasped.”
Soon all eyes were on Hugh’s expansive protruding belly, and the two fastenings that were indeed incapable of being fastened. He immediately straightened up and conspicuously attempted to pull in his midsection.
Alainn held her hands before her and soon the entire table was frozen where they sat, but for Killian, Danhoul and herself.
“Killian, you needn’t stoop to your uncle’s low level in my defense. Hugh O’Brien is of entirely no consequence to me. I refuse to allow his unfeeling comments or his constant badgering and criticisms to wound me. You might also choose to entirely ignore the blather that spews from the man’s mouth, and sure ’twill seem a more agreeable evening.”
Killian stared at her a long while, as she held the inhabitants of the great hall as still as bronze statues. He noticed even the flames in the immense hearth seemed to have stilled completely.
He finally replied to her comments. “Our priest believes me to be a good man. I would dare to suggest you are a far better person than I, Alainn, for if I held claim to the unusual powers you do, I would be incapable of keeping them closeted. If I could call upon such powerful magic, sure I’d be driven to use it to meet with much unpleasantness, including dealing with my uncle and his asinine behavior and uncharitable comments.”
“Aye, well, ’tis not that I don’t do just that.” Alainn grinned and, as she stared at Hugh O’Brien, they watched as two more fastenings on his tunic popped open.
Killian’s eyes filled with amusement.
As the obnoxious chieftain sat with a heavily laden fork ready to shove it into his wide gaping mouth, Alainn slowly twirled her finger and soon the fork spilled the contents onto the man’s lap.
Killian burst out laughing at that and Danhoul smirked as well.
Soon the vessel filled with gravy sailed through the air and as Alainn tipped her fingers, they watched as it steadily drip, drip, dripped onto Hugh’s now exposed belly.
By now the three of them were laughing uproariously and Killian’s eyes lit up to see Alainn making merry for the first time in such a long while.
“And do you not wish to partake in this magical free for all?” Killian addressed Danhoul.
“Sure I’m entirely above using my magic for such infantile pursuits.” Danhoul claimed as he smiled slyly and soon caused an already drunken Riley’s goblet of wine now tipped to his lips to trickle down his chin.
“I’m much appreciative I am mostly immune to magic!” Killian laughed as he watched his boorish cousin’s tunic become damp with the spilled wine.
“Well, I’ll not miss out on havin’ a wee bit of fun simply because I am incapable of magic.” Killian exclaimed and Alainn watched in mingled delight and uncertainty as she saw Killian lift the boar’s head from the center of the table and place it upon his uncle’s head. Alainn put her hands to her mouth as she continued to giggle at the humorous sight.
“I would give much to possess a painting capturing this endearing moment.” Killian laughed and Alainn’s sides ached with much needed and too long denied laughter.
“I suppose ’tis time I should release this spell as sure everyone’s meal will be soon cold.”
Killian nodded, but he maintained a wide grin as he removed the boar’s head and soon after the table was brought back to life Hugh and Riley both swiftly reached for their napkins in apparent confusion.
The group sat finishing their delicious food and enjoying the company of their kin.
Alainn glanced around the great hall and noticed the boughs of holly and ivy that adorned the tables and the entranceway. The feast of Christ’s mass was typically held over twelve days and she felt certain she would not be capable of keeping company of Hugh O’Brien for that length of time no matter what magical games could be created at his expense.
She was thankful her grandfather and Mary had ensured only family and Father Sean were present at this gathering and not the often hundreds of noble guests who sometimes attended such celebratory feasts. The priest had earlier bid everyone farewell as he had many ailing parishioners to visit this night. It was now only the O’Briens, Danhoul, and Niall O’Rorke who remained at the table.
Alainn noticed how Mary and Brigid both were sympathetically looking at her and she saw they exchanged a glance and both had tears in their eyes. Alainn had capably read their minds and she wanted very much to be allowed to simply leave and be distanced from dealing with all these emotions within her and around her, but she bit her lip and took a deep breath.
“You have heard my brother Sean and his new wife, Iona expect a child sometime in early spring?” Hugh revealed.
Lady Siobhan threw him a cautious look and he rolled his eyes and huffed aloud, clearly uncertain what topics could safely be discussed at this table.
“You needn’t be disinclined to speak of women blessed to be carrying a child, for sure ’tis something naturally joyful. So if any others here desire to make such announcements, do not allow me to put a damper on your excitement, for I am a seer so ’tis unlikely you can keep it from me even though you all try most diligently!” Alainn courageously declared.
Killian clasped his fingers through her own beneath the table and he held on tightly.
There was a long and awkward silence and then both Mary and Brigid burst into tears.
“Christ Almighty!” Riley cussed and glowered at his wife as he reached for his goblet of wine. Rory, on the other hand, put his arm around his young wife, Brigid and held her tightly to him, whispering to her as he tenderly patted her cheek and wiped her tears.
Lady Siobhan look at Alainn and smiled at her clairvoyant ability, and then she cleared her throat and spoke aloud.
“Well, if it is to be this day when announcements are to be proclaimed then I shall begin, for Hugh and I are to welcome a child in the spring as well, but late spring it will be.”
Niall beamed proudly at his daughter and at her obvious joy in carrying a child once more. Riley looked as though his eyes would pop out of his head, and Rory only smiled at his mother and he spoke as well.
“And, aye, Alainn, Brigid carries a child as well, our child will be expected perhaps nearer to summer, we believe.”
Alainn looked at Mary, but she did not speak, and she wondered if maybe the woman had decided not to tell Riley, but she was clearly not prepared for her friend’s next words. Through tear-filled eyes Mary stood and sobbed in earnest as she spoke.
“How can you all seem so pleased about any of this?”
Riley interrupted her and angrily stated.
“Well, Mary, I know you feel aggrieved regarding Alainn and Killian having lost their newborn son, as do we all, but how are they ever to hope to produce another babe when they don’t even sleep under the same roof, much less share a bed?”
