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By the Kings Order

He just laid there on his side kissing her and holding her to him. This was something he had to look forward to alot more and he knew he would enjoy every day of it. How could she repay him. He could not think of anything at the moment nor did he care. A knock came at the door and he sat up and swung his legs over the bed and stood up. He went to t he door and let the servents in with the platter of food and wine and goblets. He took them and placed them on a table then shut the door once more. "Now you are going to eat and eat well. No more nibbling at the food." he told her.


"I will tell your sister of our plans and Duncan. I think that your sister will like the idea. She is going to be a busy woman after she is married and you need someone to look after ya." he smiled his mother dished up some food and fruit and the two brothers dug in as did his father. They were hard working farmers, when there was no war going on, and always had a good appetite.


Robert the Bruce not wanting to tip his hand, had messengers ride out to the Lowland Clans to call up what he could for an army. It would take weeks to get such gathered and begin the march to the south. The Highlanders were a wild card and they were not yet married into the clans of the Lowlands. Here he had a waiting game and then he could not count on them to show at all. He had gambled and he hoped it paid off in the long run. But for now he had to get an army together.
 
Alexandria kissed him gently and enjoyed it.she couldn't wait to spend every night with him and day.Alexandria groaned when he pulled away at the knock on her door. She sighed and sat up."No more nibbling. But I am not hungry. I also dont eat much. In the low lands food was scare at times. Si we would have to go with out eating for days."She said.She sighed she knew there was no getting out of this."fine come here on the bed then."She said and smiled. She watched him sit with the tray. She kissed him and took a grape eating it.She fed him one gently and took a sip of her wine. She ate more then she normally did and sighed. She leaned back on the bed and sighed. She looked over at him and sighed. "Actually perfect day."She said.


Claire nods."she may not. Look after her tongue. She can be sharp of whit and very protective of me. Good luck with her."She said and kissed him.Claire did live Angus he was so sweet. She fed him some grapes and winked.She drank some wine and sighed. "Thank you al for your kindness. "She said


Irish Ice Queen
 
He made sure she ate decently. She needed food to get her strength back and keep her healthy. "I could see that the farm your parents had was not of the best quality of land. It must have been hard to grow enough to eat and to sell to be able to plant the next year's harvest. Here we have good land, plenty of rain and snow melt from the mountains. With percentage I get from taxes I use them to make improvements. I have hired those with knowledge to make plans for irrigation, bringing water to where it is needed and the like. I think the Lairds of the Lowlands should do the same. I may have to talk to the McNally Clan Laird and see what he has to say." It was indeed a perfect day. He was enjoying it, and being able to relax. On the marrow he had to go check on the work being done to bring water down to those farms that needed it. It would give Alexandria a chance to be out and about in the fresh air and the ride would probably do her good as well.


After some time it was time to take Claire back to the Castle. He hugged his mother and kissed her cheek and she did the same to him. His brothers he hit hard in the arms almost knocking them to the ground. His father he clasped the big mans arm and then gave him a hug as well. "Now you take care of this pretty young lass, you hear son. She is of good stock and has a good head on her shoulders, like your mother."


Angus grinned and said, "Aye Father that I will." Before long they were again riding back to the castle and got there around dark. He took her up to the room and wondered if Duncan was still there as well.
 
Alexandria nods" yeah, wasn't best I am use to the dizzy spells. They happened a lot at the farm, but the day in bed wasn't as fun as this. "Alexandria said and sighed. She placed her hand in his."thank you for staying with me. I have a lot to Thank you for, but feel like I am giving nothing to you back."She says and winked at him.She kissed his hand and moved so she could kiss him on the lips.She smiles and sighed. Her lips pressed against his made her a different kind of dizzy.


Claire had thanked them and nods. She went to the horse and waited. She watched them and smiled. They were nice and sweet. She felt her heart warm then fall at the sight if him with his family. She would never know that again with her own family. She clung to him, as she rode. Claire had tears in her eye's as she clung to him.. when they got to the castle he helped her down and lead her to her room. She bit her lip and clung to him."I dont know if we should go in."She said as he opened the door. Alexandria geard the door and pulled back slightly from Duncan. "I guess today is over my love thank you. "She said and kissed gim again gently. She looked over at the door and sighed. She hoped her sister hadn't seen much. Thank god her sister was looking down as always.


Irish Ice Queen
 
Angus's and Claire's voices came to them from out side the door. Duncan sighed and sat up on the edge of the bed as the door slowly opened. Duncan looked at the pair and stood up clasping his hands behind him. The two entered the room and Angus took a deep breath and pulled Claire further into the room. He looked at Alexandria and again began stumbling over the words but he finally got them out. "I am here to ask your permission to marry your sister. We have talked and found that we have fallen for each other and wish to marry."


Duncan raised a brow at that. Claire had really gotten to him and won his heart. The big man was all tough on the outside but when it came to her was all soft and gooey on the inside. Claire was a couple years younger then Alexandria, and he really did not see a problem with it. Some girls married young, sixteen years of age and it had been reported as young as thirteen. He had a grin on his face as he turned to see what Alexandria would say.
 
Alexandria looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Are you joking?"She asked."she is 16 yes she has been of age for two years now, but still."Alexandria sighed and looked at her sister. "This is what you want?"She asked her. Claire nods. Alexandria bods and sighed then who am I to stand in the way of love. I give you both my blessing and wish you both every happiness. "She said.she had taken a very diplomatic approach and answered she thought fairly well."you can take our spot at the wedding we are doing ours a day earlier. " Alexandria said and looked at Duncan and gave a small smile.


Alexandria sighed and looked at her husband to be "well goodnight my love thank you for spending the day with me actually was fun."She said. Claire had turned smiling and hugged Angus. She kissed him gently. When she pulled away she blushed. "I bid thee a goodnight sir."She said and smiled she stepped back near her sister. She was actually supprised ather sister's choice. Claire was secretly glad her sister wasnt mad.


Irish Ice Queen
 
Angus grinned from ear to ear when Alexandria agreed. He hugged Claire back and then Duncan was dragging him from the room so the Alexandria and Claire could talk. He chuckled as he slapped his cousin on the back. He had never seen his cousin like he had been the last few days. But he was happy for him. "So we will add you and Claire to the list for the big ceremony. Alexandria wants to have ours separate, the day before."


Angus only grinned still as Duncan talked. That was when Heather entered the conversation. She spoke behind them. "Well now this is a surprise." Both turned to see her behind them. Angus was his cousin and her nephew. He was the son of her brother. He was the oldest of the three brothers. "I saw the way you two acted at the dinner party last night but had no idea it was this serious." She smiled and then embased her nephew.
 
Alexandria and her sister sat in bed after a bath and some hot tea. She sighed and frowned slightly. She hated when her husband left her side.Alexandria and her sister talked for most of the night. Alexandria and her sister finally fell asleep.


....


The next morning Alexandria was awoken by a maid gently. "Miss Alexandria, Laird Duncan wishes to see you and asks you be presentable to ride and eat something. I am also not to leave until you have eaten your fill of food."the maid said.Alexandria sighed and gets up. She sighed and had the maid tie her corset and put on a green dress. She sat down and ate slowly and finished what she could. Alexandria stopped in the Mirror and fixed her hair.She went down to where the maid had told her to meet her Husband to be. She slowly walked down the steps and flipped her hair out.She stopped mid step and looked down at her husband to be and smiles gently. "Hello My Laird."She said


Irish Ice Queen
 
Duncan left his mother and went to his rooms. Angus went to those that had been assigned Both men were walking on air. The next morning he sent one of the servants to bid Alexandria to join him and make sure she ate something good. He was not wanting a repeat of the day before. Duncan looked at her and smiled. Besides his kilt and his white shirt he wore a cloak. "We be riding to check on the progress of the irrigation work being done. Also it will give you a chance to see more of lands of the McClouds." With an arm about her waist he escorted her out to the courtyard where her horse waited for her. "I think he is ready for some exersise. Would you like some help up, or do you still prefer to do it yourself." he grinned.


Heather was there to see them off. She said nothing but stood in the door of the main house watching. To see her son with the woman of his dreams was more then enough for her. No words were necessary. Duncan mounted up and was ready to ride.
 
Alexandria smiles and sighed as his arms went around her. She listened to him and nods."of course, sounds interesting."She said with a sigh. She breathed. Her maids brought her cloak and was escorted to the horses. She smiled and pet her horse."Hello buddy"she kissed his nose and smiles. She turned to Duncan. "I do not need help thank you very much."She said and pulled herself onto her horse and steadied herself. "Good boy Thair."Alexandria said.


Alexandria looked at her husband to be."I will follow you my dear. She said and put her hood up. Her nose was red with the cold it already had gotten to her. She could see her breath in the air. She looked over at him and smiles gently.


Irish Ice Queen
 
He put his heels to the flanks of his horse and moved out of the gate of the castle. The morning was cold but it would warm up soon. Harvest time had come now and as they rode they could see the people up early and in the fields binging in their harvest. They were happy people and greeted their Laird as he passed by. The lands soil was rich and its pastures filled with cattle and sheep. They reached the irrigation project. From a river a series of water wheels diverted some of the water to various parts of the land. The archetect in charge of the project greeted him as he rode up to the newest section of the project. He was not of Scotland, like the doctor, he was from a differnt country. He was from Italy where there had been a number of articans that had begun to make names for themselves. He dismounted and waited for Alexandria to dismount before he approached.


"This Antionio Santori, from Italy. He is the architect of this project. It will bring water to where there is none. I will take him with me to see the McNally Laird and offer his services. I will not have your clan's people going hungry." he told Alexandria. "They are now an extention of my clan and I will see to their well being."
 
Alexandria dismounted and followed him. "Thank you My Laird."She said and stepped next to him and heard a ruckus. She turned and saw men running after a small child. Alexandria looked over confused. She walked into the path of the child and knelt down catching him."woah slow down child what's wrong, what is your rush?" Alexandria asks gently. He looked at her scared. "Please Miss I am so sorry."He said in a small voice. Alexandria looked at him puzzled and nods."Its okay just tell me what happened."She said. The guards ran up."sorry miss hand over the child."Alexandria stood and the child clung to her legs."what has he done to deserve two fine soilders after him."She asked.Alexandria watched them.They bowed to her."Miss the boy is low lander scum who has stolen bread from the market."they say.Alexandria squared her shoulders. "You will not talk of breathern as such and you will leave this boy alone your lucky I don't disband you both. Did you ever consider this boy is hungry and scared. Now go away and I do not wish to see you in court for a week you go back to your families and maybe you will think next time. Go I am sick of the sight of both of you. "She said. Alexandria sighed and knelt to the child again. "Come lets get you some food and a bath. Then get you back to your family little one."She smiles gently. As he hugged her.Alexandria sighed and wrapped around the boy.She picked him up and walked to Duncan. "I know you saw all that and I hope you approve of my decision. I think that this little one should be fed and bathed and returned to his family if you so allow.I can go alone and leave you about your daily business. "Alexandria said and nods to Duncan.


Irish Ice Queen
 
Duncan was looking at the engineer marvel that Antionio had designed and his people were building when he heard the shouts. He turned and saw the two Highlander men chasing a young boy. The boy was dressed in dirty and ragged clothing and his eyes narrowed. No one in his Clan should ever look like that. The child ran to Alexandira and her anger was very apparent at the two men. They had called the child lowlander scum, and that did not set well with Duncan. When she told the men what to do and then turned to him and asked if she had done right, he smiled and said, "Your orders are my orders. When you give them they are as if they came from me. Even though we not be married yet, I will allow this. You have a good mind. He looked at the two men his eyes blazing with disapointment in them. They bowed their heads to Alexandria and Duncan and left.


"Now like you said lets get this lad some food and a bath and then I want to know where the rest of his family is and how they come to be here in the highlands. Ducan lead the way to where food for the work force was being prepared for the noon meal and had her sit the boy down. He made sure the boy was well feed and then taken to the river for a bath. It was not the nice hot bath enjoyed at the castle but a bath was a bath. Once he was cleaned and some proper clothes found for him. He asked the boy about his family and how they come to be in his lands.


"The noble that we owned the land we farmed kicked us out to make room for one that he favored better. We had little before that and nothing after. We didn't know where we were going, only that we had to find someplace to stay. We came up into the highlands hoping to find something. May Da is a hard worker and so are my brother and two sisters." Duncan nodded. He hated Lairds and the so called nobles that did such things.


"Well we will see about that." he told the boy and had a wagon with provisions loaded up, blankets, cooking equipment as well and clothing that could be rounded up. "Alright lad, you show us where your family be." He hoisted the boy up onto the wagon next to the driver. It took an hour but they arrived at the ramshaked campsite of his family. His brother and sisters hid behind their Mother and Father and his father held cycle in his hand. What Duncan saw should not happen to anyone. "Come." he told them. "Bring you possessions and get in the waggon.


The boys father would not budge, "I can work and pay for anything we have taken."


"I am not here to harm you or to collect. Get in the wagon and you will see." Duncan told the man. The man did as he was told and soon the whole family was in the cart with what he had brought. "Now eat your fill of the prepared food." The wagon moved on again with Duncan in the lead and Alexandria at his side.
 
Alexandria watched Duncan and the boy. The boy had been frightened of Duncan at first.Alexandria had got his talk, he sat in her lap. She smiled as he ate well."such a good Lad Aye?"She said gently to him and winked.Alexandria had taken the boy and bathed him in the river. She laughed as he splashed about.She helped the boy get dressed and he clung to her side as she carried him.She persuade the boy to tell Duncan. She listened to him and frowned at what he said. When Duncan hoisted the Lad up into the wagon Alexandria went to her horse and knew they were riding. She looked at her husband in thanks. When they got to the family she stopped. They were all half starved and dirty.Alexandria gave the small boy a wink as Duncan told his family to get in the wagon. She knew he take care of them. The child tugged at the driver. "I want to ride with the Mistress."He said Alexandria blushed and nods to the boy. She helped him up and had him sit infront of her."Why does a young Lad as your self wish to sit with a woman who is not your mother. She said and looked dow. At him. He moved and turned around. "Because Mistress you saved me and my family. "He says and hugged her. He held onto her as the rode along. Alexandria was curious as to what her husband to be was going to do for these poor souls."where are we taking them My Laird."She asked gently. The boy just clung to her as she rode.Alexandria was interested in her husband's plans.


Irish Ice Queen
 
It was a bit before they finally reached their destination, a good three hours ride. They came down into a lush green valley, where there was a farm that looked as if it had just been harvested. A stream ran close to the farm house and barn. The hay was bundled in the field, ready to be either put in to the barn or transported elsewhere. In the barn one could see cloth sacks stuffed with the various vegables that had been harvested and were awaiting to be picked up. He had the wagon pull up to the house and he dismounted and walked back to the wagon. "The owners of the farm are to old to work it anymore. Their children have married off into other clans and they have gone to live with some of them. The harvest here has been gathered and was to be picked up and sold. But now this belongs to you. It is your land and you will never be evicted from it. I am Duncan McCloud of the Clan McCloud, Laird of the Clan and it is my right to give or take land where I chose. But I give land more then I would ever take. Everything here is now yours and I will see to it that you have the seed for the next year's planting. You should have all the equipment you need in the barn for farming and the horse and wagon here are yours to keep. "


He helped the young children down from the wagon and they went running off to the house to check it out. The previous owners took only their personal belongins. You have all you need now with what is in the wagon to get you started. You are now a part of the Clan McCloud. You will be visited by the local elder and he will explained what must be paid in taxes and the like. You will find though that it is fair and you will have plenty for yourselves and to sell in the market." he grinned.


The man did not know what to say except he had tears in his eyes as did his wife. "Thank you. Thank you sire." the man finally said. Together the mother and father of the boy went to the house to look at their new home.


"You had best go with them young man." he told the boy. "In a little over a week, there will be a wedding of myself and Lady Alexandria here and then the next day the marriages of a number of the other Highland lairds. You and your family are invidted to come."
 
Alexandria stopped and listened to her husband. She was supprised. There Laird of there lands had never done such a thing. She was very impressed. Alexandria slipped from her horse and held her arms out to the boy.He jumped into her arms and smiles. When Duncan comes over he shys into Alexandria. He looked at him and nods. He hugged Duncan in a thank you. The child turned to Alexandria. " Will you visit Lady Alexandria, please you are so kind and very generous."Alexandria sighed and knelt down to his level. "I will visit when I can. I can not make any promises. I do not wish to make promises I can not keep nor would I."She said and smiled at the boy. "But you go and enjoy your new home. Don't worry will see each other again soon as Laird Duncan said you will come to the weddings. We might even have a spot in our wedding for you hmm. Just between you and me your a good Lad. Remember that aye?"She said. The boy smiles and wrapped around her hugged her. She sighed and hugged him back.She pulled back and smiles. She wiped his tears."be a good Lad and go to you new home and Enjoy it. "She said. He nods."Thank you Laird and Lady."He ran for his house and at rhe door looked back at the pair. He waved to her and went inside. Alexandria sighed and turned to Duncan. "That was very kind of you."She said to him.She kissed his cheek and went for her horse.Alexandria looked back over at the family and let out a small huff. She pulled her hood back up again and looked over at him."where to My Laird."She asked him gently.


Irish Ice Queen
 
The family explored the house which didn't take long, then they went to to barn. They were shocked to find how much harvest was there and all of the farming equipment. Duncan laughed as he watched and smiled. "They will make fine additions to the Mccloud Clan." he told Alexandria. Now all that is left is to get them some live stock. Chickens, some sheep and some cows so they can have milk, butter, eggs, and wool, along with meat if they need it." The driver of the wagon had his horse tied to the back. Duncan gave him a list of live stock that needed to be brought from his own personal stock.


"This is what I meant by insuring my people have what they need to prosper. They will sell what harvest they do not need and I will get the taxes from that and perhaps even a bit of the harvest. With the money they get they will be able to continue the farm, though I will ensure they have the seed for next years harvest now. They should have enough to buy what ever else they will need to improve their lives. This is what a Laird or any noble should do." As to her question of where to next, "A nice ride back to the castle by a differant rout that will get us home before dark yet see more of the McCloud's land and people."
 
Alexandria nods and before she went on her horse. She went over and wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed him gently and sighed. "Thank you. I love you My Laird" she said. Her breath showed inthe air as she looked up at him. Her eye's sparkled up at him. Alexandria sighed and pulled away gently. Alexandria made her way to her horse and pulled her self up on to her horse. She sighed, the wedding was a week away and she wished it would come sooner then it felt.


Alexandria rode next to her husband to be and watched as they rode along a new road back to the castle. She saw the people some would bow to her and others would whisper and marvel at her beauty. She heard the whispers. "She is no Low lander woman. I mean look at that beauty and how she holds herself. "Alexandria smiles and laughed. She rode up to the castle gates just as the sun was setting. She sighed and dismounted quickly. She sighed and patted her horse. The stable boys came to grab her horse."no no thank you I got him."She said. She grabbed his regins and sighed. Alexandria looked at Duncan and smiles gently. "Joining me or shall I see you inside for dinner."She asks him


Irish Ice Queen
 
When they returned to the castle he dismounted and lead his horse to the stable with Alexandria. There he removed the saddle and blanket and made sure he had plenty of fresh hay and oats to eat. He had carried Duncan a long way during the day and deserved it all. "Give him a good rubdown and brushing." he patted the horses head, "And give him an apple after he has eaten his fill." He then waited for Alexandria to join him before going inside. "So what do you think of the McCloud lands and the people you have seen and met." Not the barbarians that she thought they were he hooped. Oh they were rough about the edges, but that was their way of life.


The priest was waiting in the court yard. "I hear that ye want to be wed before the others." he smiled. "I think that would be very appropriate. The two of you then could preside over the other nupuials and be an example for them to follow." One could tell he was very excited about it all. Oh he did marriages alot all over the clan but to be the one to do the Laird's wedding, well that usually was the bishops responsibility. But he was not about at the time and might not return from Edinburgh for some time. To have the Laird of the McClouds and then the Lairds or their sons of twenty clans was something not only had not been done before but he had never heard about before. So he was very excited.
 
Alexandria had removed her horses saddle and reigns.She kissed his nose. She joined her husband to be." Most every one is interesting. Like to gossip like most Clans people."She said. They walked to the castle and were stopped by a priest in the court yard.She nods to him,"Thank you, we appreciate the fact that you will be presiding over our wedding. "Alexandria said. She saw that the priest was happy. She smiled and nods to the priest.


Claire saw her sister return and ran down. She ran ti her and hugged her. She whispered in Alexdrias ear. Alexandria breathed and nods. She looked at Duncan and gives a small smile to reassure him."I will meet you inside my sister just has something to show me. Though why she can't Just tell me confuses me."She says she followed her sister. And they walked to a pen."look what Angus gave me."She says. It was a dog."oh wow he is beautiful. Irish wolf hound and Angus gave him to you.wow how did he know you always wanted a mutt." Alexandria said and smiles. She pet the dog,"how are you two doing, still loving being with Angus?"She asked. Claire nods and smiles. "Thank you Alexandria for allowing us to marry."Alexandria nods."like I said I just want you happy."She said and hugged her sister.


Irish Ice Queen
 
"No pen for this one." Duncan said. He is a full grown dog and knows where he must do what he has to. Give him love and food and he will always be around. Since he is your dog, he will probably be wanting to share you and your sister's room. Throw a warm blanket on the floor by the fire place and he will be more then content to sleep there, where he can watch over you." His father had a couple of hounds and he had grown up with them till they died of old age. They slept in his mother and fathers bed chamber by the fire place and were fiercely protective of them. Only a couple people could enter the room with out them growling and getting to their feet. He was one of them, since he was family and played with them and fed them bones. He had none of his own but thought it might be good to have a couple about the castle again. They were good in hunting at sniffing out the game and retrieving fowl that had been shot down.


He turned to Alexandria. "Now I suppose you would love to have a couple of hounds as well?" he grinned. He knew his mother loved the two his father had. When sitting by the fire place in other places in the castle, they would lay at her feet. "I know where we can get them, even as pups if you wish. They be more messy in the begining but will build a strong bond between us and them."
 
Alexandria made a face at the dog sleeping in there room. Her sister let it out and whistles for it.She looked at her husband. "Yes fleas and wet dog smell. So much fun. I mean I guess I wouldn't mind a puppy. That be an interesting task. I do believe there a lot like children. "She said"if you would like we could get a dog. A pup would be better then a full grown dog to begin with." Alexandria was a Horse person nore then a dog. Her sister was always bringing strays home. She sighed and went to Duncan's side. Ever since she knew she loved Duncan and it didn't matter now who he was as long as he was with her. Alexandria had some concerns about there wedding night. It had been in the back of her mind for a while. She wouldn't tell him her worries or fears or should she.She sighed and decided to see what he had to say"My Laird, I must confess I am very happy with this Marriage, but I still have some reservations about the wedding night. No matter how much of a harlet the low landers think I am because of my out spoken ways . I am not I have kwpt my virtue intact. I mean it is the only thing I adhere to as a woman.I just am not sure about the whole night. I thought I tell you since you are my husband to be."Alexandria said with a sigh. She pursed her lips she hated showing any fear or weekness especially around her laird to be.


Irish Ice Queen
 
He laughed as she talks about fleas and wet dog smells. "Yes that is a hazzard of having a dog around. But properly bathed now and then helps keep the fleas away. But for the wet smell of a dog, I am afraid there is nothing to do about that except get them dried as fast as possible. No worse the smell of a barn or a field where cows have been. " he chuckled. "I am sure you are use to those." When she took him aside and talked about their wedding night, he could under she had concerns. "Now what may your concern be about the whole night?" he asked her. "Once we are wed we will be sharing the same bed and room as is proper. I do not believe as my parents didn't in seperate rooms. So tell me the concerns you have."


The hound came to Claire and sat down before her and licked her hand as she petted it. He was a well trained one and now belonged to her and he sensed that. He also probably sensed the type of person she was and would do what it took to make her happy with him. Angus squated down to pet the dog and it also excepted him. It knew the two were as one and would be faithful to the two of them and those close to them. But heaven help the servants that entered when he was in the room.
 
Alexandria sighed. "Well the intimate part of our wedding night is kinda putting me off."She said. She sighed and fixed her hair she watched him with a gentle eye's.


Claire smiled upon seeing Angus. She pet the dog then went over and tackled Angus to the ground in a hug. Claire smiled and and laughed. "Hello."She said. She Kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck as she lay a top him on the grass. There hound had come over wagging his tail


Irish Ice Queen
 

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