Berrick paused to drink a bit of cider, looking about the room. He didn’t want to pause too long, because it hurt so badly. He especially didn’t want to look into Brogan’s eyes. He couldn’t bear to see the pain that reliving this night was sure to cause him.
Pushing ahead, he continued:
Rodan was very relieved to take Kallan back to her father and brother, but he was NOT looking forward to telling Abrianna that her husband had just given himself as a ransom for his own and Kallan’s lives. He expected she was going to fall apart.
Instead, Abrianna simply nodded and said, “Thank you Rodan. I appreciate you bringing me the news. Does Berrick know? Where is Cillian now?”
Rodan confirmed that indeed he had told Berrick, when he returned Kallan to him and before he could explain where Cillian was currently, Abrianna stopped him in his tracks.
“Returned Kallan to him? What do you mean?”
Rodan took a few moments to bring Abrianna up to date. The whole time he was speaking, she was striding toward Aidan, requiring him to hustle in order to keep up with her. “Abrianna, where are you going? Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Just keep up, brother mine. You are going to see years of planning come together in such a way that will astound even you!”
Within minutes, Abrianna had gathered Aidan’s family, confirmed that the fire from the explosion was under control and huddled them together. “Thorp family, for such a time as this, God has called you.”
Aidan immediately voiced his suspicions, “Milady, where is the king?”
“Alasdair has been taken captive by the Corcovans.” There was a collective gasp from all and selected whimpering from the children. “Not to worry. The Corcovans have been hoping for this for quite some time now. Alasdair has known of this plan from long ago and has orchestrated a plan of his own.
“’We, however, in order to do our part, must quickly return to the castle. Rodan, will you please ride to Berrick and tell him, that while I am loathe to call him away from his grief, we need him very much at this hour. He will know what needs to be done on his end.’
“In short order, the Thorp family and Abrianna were entering the castle. She barely crested the doorway, when she began to yell orders. Aidan turned his head away, struggling to keep a straight face. Once a bossy little sister, always a bossy little sister.”
Nevin stifled a giggle. He was certain he knew just how Aidan felt. Berrick barely paused, but winked at Nevin in support, instead.
“Men and women went scurrying to do Abrianna’s bidding. By now word had reached the castle that Alasdair had given himself over to Cillian, in order to rescue Kallan. The people loved their king all the more in this moment and it delighted them to be able to serve his wife, so they willingly ran hither and thither to complete her every request.
While Seana and Aidan watched the action, the Thorp children were quite taken aback. They had been inside the castle a few times – for different banquets or feasts, but never to just wander about, as though they lived there. They were thinking it was a pretty fine thing to have the queen for your aunt.
As quickly as the flurry began, it ended. Suddenly there was no one to send running – there were no people standing about waiting to be sent forth – nothing. It was silent. Abrianna turned and smiled at them.
“I don’t suppose you’re hungry?” They shook their heads. “Okay, then, well, while I’d love to offer you all a place to rest this evening, I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to bear with me just a bit longer, as there are many pieces of our little puzzle that must all fall into place tonight. While we wait for some of those pieces, let me show you to your rooms – and you can at least allow the youngest children to rest.”
With that, Abrianna grabbed the hand of one of the younger Thorp children and led the whole group up the grand staircase to a cluster of rooms all situated around a small sitting room. Abrianna indicated by the jerk of her head that she wished to speak to Aidan in the hall. The two of them left, leaving Seana to keep track of her youngsters and the two young men in front of her. She kept staring at them, shaking her head.
In the hall, Aidan looked at Abrianna, “How are you holding up? Are you afraid for Alasdair?”
“Of course I am. But, I knew the risks of this life before I ever agreed to marry him. He spent long hours trying to talk me out of it, during our courtship. I had no idea life could be so hard – nor so sweet either. It is a risk I was quite willing to take.”
Aidan took the arm of his sister and began to stroll away from the rooms they were inhabiting. “So, tell me what happens now. What do we need to do? What comes next?”
Abrianna, glad for the strength of her brother’s arm under her hands, walked in silence for a bit longer, and finally gave up the need for pretense. Her posture changed – no more queen, only little sister, leaning on her bigger brother.
“Aidan, I can never thank you enough for all that you have given and done for me…for US. This could never have happened without you. You have no idea, I think, of the gift that you have given to the people of Dalravia.”
“I think, dear Sister, that the gift you have given is greater still. Both father and son – truly you have given all that any woman could ever be asked to give up.”
She buried her head against his arm and a deep sigh escaped her lips. “Aidan, do not think more highly of me than you ought, for there is no part of me that could have done this outside of the Lord giving me a special grace.”
At that moment, a young squire came racing down the hall, “Milady, we have need of you in the Great Hall, please come quickly. Things are moving along very fast.”
Abrianna looked at Aidan and repeated the phrase that had been ringing in her head all night long, “For such a time as this, Aidan. For such a time as this.” With that, she was gone – looking very much like the queen she was, no more weakness showing through, just all about business. The Lord’s business.
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Quick heads up – our lap top crashed. Not a little crash – a big one. Our friends fixed it, but Windows was the cause of the crash – and all the devotionals were in there. We will get new ones written – but it will take a bit.
Thank you for sticking with us!
Christmas blessings to you and your household – even if they are a day late! 
