Who We Meet Again
SIR LUCIUS MACLEOD
LADY AINSLEY MACKINNON
SIR LUCIUS MACLEOD
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[/color] Lucius greeted softly. The last time he saw the woman had been within the territory of the MacLeods; but even then his time with the woman had been lessened due to duties and tasks.[/ul]
LADY AINSLEY MACKINNON[/u]
[/color] The young man was always busy- as was expected of any Tanist- and their brief meeting before had been interrupted by duties. Though, she was grateful for his assistance catching that pesky hare.
"Aye, this be mah home for a wee bit. Da saw that Ah am ta become an Archer! What brings ye to the Briar?" Moving forward with a bit of hop to step, toward the fireplace where Lucius stood, until Rose's voice caught her attention. She nodded in agreement to the words- tea and tart would do! It was not a large meal for such hour, but Ainsley was never one to eat a lot in the earlier hours of day.[/ul]
SIR LUCIUS MACLEOD[/u]
[/color] No doubt their presence took them both by strange surprise. Lucius perked a dark eyebrow upward when she spoke of Briar Rose being her home now for a bit. It was quickly sat aside, however, at the mention of her becoming an archer!
"Such wonderful news, Lady Aisley! An archer...seems to be a befitting task to the women of Skye." The women here were far from helpless.
"I would be honoured if you joined me, unless that is, if you have no prior engagements." He offered, gesturing to the chair that he had once been sitting in. Lucius insisted, taking his cloak from the chair and moving it to another beside it. The young knight waited for Ainsley to sit down before seating himself.
"Time to myself, as well as a good meal from Lady Rose herself. She has baited me with the fresh honey bread made this morning." Lucius mused softly with a light grin.[/ul]
LADY AINSLEY MACKINNON[/u]
[/color] Though most girls upon looking at Lucius likely became featherbrained twits this was not the case with Ainsley. Easily was admitted that the man was handsome, aye, yet beyond that? Well, he was just a boy to her. Many friends did she have that were of that gender and there wasn't any point in her mind to act the ninny around them. Instead with warm smile that brightened eyes she took offered seat.
"Ah have nae any plans. Rose always sees tha' her chicks be properly fed." A sign of her Mother's slight success was presented in graceful lowering into the chair, skirts of gown fixed and smoothed after, and her polite manner. Ainsley could be ladylike when she chose to. It just wasn't often that the need was felt.
"Rose's honey bread be the best in Turas Lan. Ah do favor her fruit tarts most." A 'thank you' was offered to Rose as tea and tart arrived, and back to Lucius was her attention turned.
"Ah donnae 'ave training until a wee bit later. Ah confess to bein' a bit nervous. Wot brings ye inta Turas Lan?" This was all different than idle hunting! Training was intense and for a far greater purpose.[/ul]
SIR LUCIUS MACLEOD[/u]
[/color] Between Anulia, Rose, and his mother-in-law, Lucius more than made up for the mother that abandoned him at barely a week old. The mug of ale was pulled toward him and lifted to his lips for a quick sip, before lowered to the table again. When Rose came with Ainsley's tea and tart, she brought an extra for Lucius in reward for his aid. Lucius chuckled and took it from the woman. Despite the man he looked now with facial hair, she still saw him as the boy who always helped her no matter what. Lucius thanked Rose and turned to Ainsley once more.
"Matters along with the Lord MacLeod. Turas Lan remains neutral ground, as well as prime market for business and marketing. However, I believe he seeks a gift to dazzle the eye of his wife." Siol was always kind to his wife and the two did learn to love each other. Lucius chuckled; like Siol, Lucius often bought things for Siobhan, even when he once had little money to spare.
"I have no doubt that you shall become a fine archer, Lady Ainsley." No doubt keener than him; though Lucius never claimed to be the expert of the bow. He knew how to wield it, but never took mastery in the skill.[/ul]
LADY AINSLEY MACKINNON[/u]
[/color] Off where woman served could be caught the sound of her laughter at such compliment. She was a modest and humble lady that one. Ainsley was much the same way. Not even slightly did it register that females looked upon her with jealous glare or males with lusty eyes. Even if one of the latter approached they'd only receive polite smile and brush off. Unless they got rude then they would find that she could brawl with the best of them. Though Mother would have a fit! Sip of tea was cautiously taken to test its warmth against her tongue before hands settled it back on wooden stand between their chairs.
"Ah should hope tha' it always remains neutral. Could nae imagine otherwise. This be the place where most can put aside clan feuds a wee bit. Do ye be seekin' quiet this day?" For one on clan affairs and due to his position it meant that Lucius was likely residing at castle. She'd only been inside its walls thrice. All of which were brief visits while her Father visited on a matter of MacKinnon business. Corner of lips lifted more at his words,
"Ah do hope ye be right. Captain Ya'ave be correct, though. Already there be moments Ah want to be quittin'. Tha' General be wearin' us ta the bone." However, though the words could sound like complaints there was the distinct note of pleasure lacing each one. Ainsley was living a dream that had not been thought possible. All she'd ever thought would happen to her was to be married and placed as some pretty trophy on mantle.[/ul]
SIR LUCIUS MACLEOD[/u]
[/color] Lucius commented.
"Of course, I pray you never find yourself upon the battlefield...the sight does change you...some in different ways." His first taste of battle had not been grand; it left him a captive for months on end, beaten mercilessly. He escaped with the scar upon his covered forearm. Brown eyes shifted to the ground for a moment as the memory flashed in his head. Shaking it away, the faltered smile grew a bit, though somewhat forced.
"As an archer, no doubt you will be safe from harm's way." The archers were always fiercely protected; they were a vital and costly branch of the military.[/ul]
LADY AINSLEY MACKINNON[/u]
[/color] How unladylike her Mother would say, but Ainsley had to admit that it was nice not to hear that statement. Here would not be found one to chastise over being oneself. It was only the way that Lucius's gaze shifted downward after mention of field that had brows furrowing. Head tilted to side with brown hair falling over one shoulder as she murmured,
"Ah remember mah Da after he returned. Took a bit of time for 'im to recover. Do nae let mind linger on it long, Lucius. Mah Da says tha' can be the death of a man's spirit." Though eager to train and become an archer it didn't mean that war was looked upon so. Ainsley would do her duty if time came and be frightened, of course, like any sensible person- yet she hoped that peace would last for a good while. Mostly due to the fact that war meant loved ones being in danger.
"Do yer wife be with ye in Turas Lan?" Sought was a topic that would take away the horrible thoughts. What better than that of the woman whose hand firmly held his heart?[/ul][/blockquote][/size]
