The Long Awaited Day (ch42)

Chapter 42 MacMurrough/Archid

Aoife and Lorcan left the very next morning well before the morning meal. She couldn’t see herself sitting with everyone again being disregarded. She did not even say goodbye to Strongbow. Her emotions were too fragile and she felt like she had made enough of a fool of herself. The cart was packed and she decided to go alone. She wanted to stop at her and Finn’s cottage before heading to her mother’s manor. She only hoped that he was there; she really needed to see him. 

When she arrived she was delighted to see Finn’s horse grazing outside. A sigh of relief escaped her, and she quickly stopped the horses.

 At the sound of horses, Finn came around to the front of the house to see who was approaching. When he saw that is was Aoife a moment of excitement tore through him. He immediately ran to the cart smiling the entire way. After helping them down he hugged Aoife as tight as he could.

Aoife prolonged the hug and wished she could just stay in his arms, but Finn pulled away curiously looking at her.

 “Aoife, why are you here?” He asked looking at her oddly. 

“I needed to see you. I have left the castle for good, and I am moving to my mother’s manor.” She said seriously, not really wanting to talk about details. 

“Why? What happened? Is Richard…?” He asked cautiously. 

“No. Actually he is much better and doesn’t need me anymore.” She answered hesitantly, trying to conceal the hurt in her voice.  

As they walked slowly towards the cottage Finn realized this was said in a peculiar manner, but he decided that it was just Aoife’s way. She could sometimes be a bit sensitive.

 “I thought you said you needed to see him through this.” Finn asked slowly with uncertainty. 

“I know, but he is much better now. He is up walking already. It was just too…awkward. His son just arrived yesterday morning…” She explained as Finn interrupted. 

“Richard de Clare has a son? When did this happen?” He asked with a laugh, surprised to hear of such a revelation. 

Slightly annoyed that Strongbow was the center of the conversation, she continued quickly. “He was young when it happened, and the mother of the boy is there too. William and I had a terrible disagreement as well, so you can see why it has been uncomfortable there. I really needed to leave and be with you finally.” She said as she began to cry. 

“Aoife, why are you crying? It couldn’t have been that bad.” He said as he hugged her, wondering what was really bothering her. “You are here now, no need to cry further.” 

With a sudden inspiration, Aoife broke free from him and stopped crying. “Finn, we should marry as soon as we can. I don’t want to prolong it anymore.” She said enthusiastically. 

“I thought you and your mother wanted to plan a feast and celebration. Why are you in such a rush?” He asked her, understanding her impatience considerably. He had been anticipating their wedding as well. 

“I don’t want any of that. Just Father Flanagan, us, my family and the O’Flatterys if you wish.” She answered quickly. “We can be married by next week.”

 “Okay Aoife. If that is what you want, only I am sure your mother is not going to be too pleased. She has already begun to arrange it.” 

“She will be fine. She only wants what I want. I am just so tired of waiting Finn. We should have been married almost a year by now. Besides, why should I bother unpacking all of my things at my mothers if I am just going to have to pack them again to move here? And you haven’t been able to spend any time with Lorcan…”

 “You don’t need to convince me. I can’t wait either.” He said with a smile as they walked into the cottage. Aoife then handed Lorcan to Finn. It was true, he hadn’t had much time with his son. He couldn’t wait to spend every minute he could with him.

Finn had been working for weeks trying to make the cottage beautiful for Aoife. He put down rugs, scrubbed the walls, brought in nice furniture, and put up wall hangings. Aoife was in awe of the changes that had been made since she had been there. 

“It is beautiful Finn. Let me put Lorcan in the cradle while we look around.” She said as she hurriedly walked up the stairs to the room they had picked for him even before he was born. When she returned Finn was sitting in the main room waiting for her. She sat down beside him in silence, both reflecting on all that had taken place in that very room. They smiled at each other and Aoife moved closer to Finn. 

“Do you think we will ever be able sit here without thinking of…everything that has happened here?” She said shyly. 

Thinking back to that day, Finn replied with a small grin.“We sure have some memories in this room. Lorcan was born here, I don’t think we will ever forget that.” 

“That is a day I will never forget.” Aoife said with tears brimming.

 One week later with her sister Urlachen, her mother and the O’Flatterys in attendance, Finn and Aoife were finally wed. They had a peaceful wedding at the Abbey. Father Flanagan married them as he smiled throughout the entire ceremony. He knew what they had gone through and was thankful that they could finally be together. “Go in peace my children.” He said as he ended the nuptials, joining their hands together symbolically. 

Finn and Aoife stood in front of him and their loved ones and realized that nothing could ever come between them again. They had made it through the worst and were going to enjoy everyday together.  Aoife was relieved to have Strongbow and the whole ordeal out of her mind. She had been through so much that her mind was confused about how she was supposed to feel. As soon as she distanced herself and focused only on Finn and Lorcan, the cloudiness cleared. She would never again have to feel something she couldn’t, or feel something she shouldn’t. Her whole life would be in the little cottage that awaited them. The life she had always longed to have.