“Tis’ too dangerous, mistress,” Carys said, as arrows flew over the battlements.
“Nay, tis’ our only chance, we shall ride together,” Elaine said, hurriedly strapping their bags onto one of the horses and saddling it for the ride.
“One horse cannae take us both, nae with all that. I shall ride too,” Carys said, throwing a saddle over one of the horses and climbing onto its back.
Elaine smiled, knowing that Carys was far more courageous than she ever acknowledged. Together, they rode out into the courtyard, where clansmen were rushing from the keep and onto the battlements. There was no sign of Allan MacCallum, but the castle gates now stood shut, as arrows rained down all around them.
“Tis’ nay use, Carys, the gates are closed. We shall nae get through,” Elaine cried, as her horse reared up on its hind legs.
“Stay back, stay back,” came a cry from behind, and Elaine turned to find a detachment of clansmen hurrying forward for the charge.
“They are openin’ the gates, mistress,” Carys said, pointing towards the gatehouse.
The castle gates were being drawn back, and Elaine knew it was their only chance to escape. She urged her horse forward, calling out to Carys to follow, as they made straight for the open gates. Around them, horns sounded, and the cries of men from the battlements echoed in the night air.
Elaine wasted no time now, and caring only to leave Kilchurn behind, she charged forth into the fray. As she emerged from the castle gates, she saw the enemy ahead, a group of soldiers silhouetted on the darkening moorlands. There were several dozen of them, archers too, some with burning torches in their hands. As she pulled up her horse, she realized she was amid their charge, the MacCallums advancing from the castle gates behind her.
“Carys?” she called out, looking behind her.
She had thought that she was immediately behind her, but it seemed that Carys had been cut off by the advancing clansmen; her horse still stood in the castle gateway. Elaine’s horse reared again onto its hind legs, causing her almost to fall, as she now found herself surrounded by the charging soldiers, arrows raining down around her.
“Mistress, be careful,” Carys cried out, and Elaine now tried to ride on through the fray.
But she was surrounded on all sides. Suddenly, she was knocked from her horse and landed painfully on the ground. She struggled to get up, fighting against an unseen force as she was pulled roughly from the ground.
“Let me go, let me go,” she cried, struggling in the grip of her captors.
“Keep quiet, or I shall cut yer throat,” a voice hissed in her ear, and Elaine was dragged roughly back through the throng of battle.
Her hands were bound, and she let out a scream as she was thrown roughly over the back of a horse, the rider charging off across the moorlands. Elaine could see Kilchurn in the distance now, the flames of torches surrounding it, and the sounds of battle growing distant.
“Where are ye takin’ me?” she called out to the rider, who laughed and pulled up the horse.
“Ye have nothin’ to worry about, lass. Ye are quite safe now,” a voice replied, and to her utmost surprise, Elaine realized that this was not a man who spoke, but a woman.
* * *
Finlay awoke with a start. It was cold and dark, a thin stream of moonlight coming in through the slit window of the tower room where he remained a prisoner. He sat up, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He had grown used to sleeping on the flagstone floor, the straw bedding hardly providing much comfort from the hard stones beneath. He was about to lie down again, wrapping his cloak around him and shivering, hoping to sleep a little longer before the dawn broke, when a sound caused him to pause.
It was the sound of horse’s hooves, distant at first and then unmistakable. He got to his feet and crossed to the window, peering out across the moorlands. The moon was high in the sky, but he could see nothing, only the heathers stretching out towards the mountains beyond, bathed on the milky glow of the moonlight. The sound was louder now, echoing on cobbles in some distant courtyard, and he wondered what business a rider might have at this time of night.
He crossed to the door, listening for the sound of the sleeping guard who sat on the other side. The soldiers took it in turns to man the door, the mysterious woman a regular visitor each day. She came to taunt him, her true purposes still a secret. There was still no indication of why he was being held and for what reason his captivity was prolonged. The woman gave nothing away, and each day Finlay grew angrier at the unfortunate state he now found himself in.
But now, the sound of footsteps came along the passageway, and Finlay listened as the guard was roused by the sound. He stood back, wondering if now was the time he would be taken elsewhere. Perhaps the rider had come for him or perhaps had brought a message to indicate what next lay in store for him. The bolts were drawn back, and a flaming torch held aloft, and Finlay blinked in the light now streaming through the open door.
“Ah, I see that ye are awake for yer visitor,” the woman said, stepping into the room.
“What is this?” Finlay asked, blinking as his eyes became accustomed to the light.
“Someone ye know well enough,” she said, as the sound of a struggle now came from the corridor outside.
“Let me go, unhand me. I will nae be yer prisoner. Let me go, I say,” a familiar voice could be heard, and Finlay let out a cry.
“Elaine, what are ye doing here? What have they done to ye?” Finlay cried out as Elaine now appeared in the doorway, flanked on either side by two soldiers.
“Finlay, oh, Finlay,” she said, struggling forward and breaking free from their grasp.
Elaine rushed into Finlay’s arms, burying her face in his chest and beginning to sob. He held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body, astonished to see her there, but thankful too. What had happened to her, and how had she come to be a prisoner too?
“What is this? Why is Elaine here? Yer quarrel is surely nae with her. Let her go, ye have nay need of her here, let her go, I say,” Finlay said, scowling at the woman, who laughed.
“The birds can nest together now. I thought ye would be happy at that, Finlay MacCallum?” she said, and Finlay fixed her with an angry gaze.
“Elaine is an innocent in this. Whatever quarrel ye have is surely with me. Whoever’s biddin’ ye are doing concerns my clan, nae Elaine. She is the daughter of the McRobs, and when her father hears of what ye have done, he too will seek his revenge. Ye have made more than one enemy in all of this,” he said.
“And who pray will inform that noble Laird that his dear daughter is here with ye? Ye are a prisoner, Finlay MacCallum, and a prisoner ye shall remain,” the woman said.
“Dae with me as ye please, but nay harm will come to Elaine, make that promise to me now,” Finlay said, his arms still around Elaine, who had begun to sob.
“Nay harm will come to her, I assure ye of that. So long as ye are cooperative,” the woman replied.
“And what co-operation is it that ye wish for?” Finlay replied.
“Ye shall know soon enough. Now, I suggest the two of ye become acquainted once again. I am sure ye have much to tell one another,” the woman said, and she turned and marched from the room, slamming the door behind her.
“Oh, Finlay, I thought ye … I thought ye were dead,” Elaine said, loosening her arms from around his neck and looking up at him through tear-stained eyes.
“And I never expected to see ye here, nae in my wildest dreams. What happened? Who are these people? I know nothin’ of what has happened, only that my men and I were ambushed by that wicked woman and her soldiers on the path north. I know not whether they are MacDonalds, some foreign enemy, or what. The woman tells me nothin’ and taunts me each day with her idle threats. But why are ye here, Elaine? How did ye come by this cruel fate?” Finlay said, still astonished by her appearance and wondering if he could well be dreaming.
“Much has happened since ye left for the north, Finlay. Yer uncle told me … told the c
lan that ye were dead. He had yer tunic and told us that ye had been attacked upon the road. It was all the excuse he needed to make himself Laird in yer place,” Elaine said, shaking her head sadly and slumping to the ground.
Finlay cursed, clenching his fists together and turning angrily towards the door. He paced up and down the room for a moment before sighing and stamping his foot in rage.
“Curse the devil. I am very much alive, very much so. He is right that we were ambushed, but the rest, as ye can see, if nae the truth. That woman, whoever she is, brought us here, though I have nae seen the men since our arrival. She tells me that Dougal has escaped, but whether tis’ true or nae, I daenae know. I know nothin’ except that I am shut away in this room day and night with nothin’ but bread and water. But ye must tell me, Elaine, how did ye come to be here? What cruel fate, except the hand of this mysterious woman, has brought ye here?” Finlay asked, sitting down opposite Elaine and leaning back against the wall.
“Tis’ because of yer uncle, at least indirectly. These past days, ever since ye went away, he has become bolder in his advances towards me. It was quite horrible, in fact, for he makes it known that he finds me attractive and wishes to marry me,” Elaine said, and once again, Finlay’s anger grew against his uncle.
He felt a pang of jealousy run through him and anger at the idea of his uncle taking advantage of Elaine for his own satisfaction.
“He has nay right to dae so. The man is nothin’ but a wicked and power grabbin’ menace. I wish I had never allowed him to remain in the castle after my father’s death,” Finlay said.
“I didnae want to remain there a moment longer, and so Carys and I had made it our business to leave and return to Carrick this very night. We had packed food and provisions and were settin’ off with the horses when suddenly the castle was attacked in the raid by that woman and her men,” Elaine said.
“And ye were caught up in it? What of Carys? Did she escape?” Finlay asked, and Elaine shook her head.
“I daenae know. The last I saw of her, we had become separated at the gates. I was knocked from the horse, bound, and taken away by that woman. I know nothin’ of who they are, or of what became of Kilchurn,” Elaine said, shaking her head.
Finlay took a deep breath. This was sorry news indeed. To think of the castle having been attacked and his clan in danger was a heavy burden. He cursed himself again for his foolishness in riding north so readily and with such little thought for what he had left behind.
“And my uncle? Is he dead or alive? What dae these people want. I have never heard of such a thing,” Finlay said, shaking his head.
“I know nothin’ of what became of him. Perhaps he is dead, or perhaps he is alive. The last I saw of the castle was surrounded by men, and the clan was battling for their lives. But what is this place? We rode for many miles across the moorlands, long into the night,” Elaine said.
“Tis’ a castle of sorts, though where we are, I know nae. Tis’ all a mystery, Elaine. One which grows ever deeper. But why bring ye here? Unless perhaps for a ransom,” Finlay said.
That was what he feared. Together, they would fetch a pretty penny, but if Kilchurn had been attacked and his uncle killed, then who would be left to pay it? Finlay was close to despair. His father had been dead but a short while, and already he found himself a prisoner, the once-mighty stronghold of Kilchurn attacked, and his noble clan scattered to the four winds. What now could be done to save them and restore their name?
“My father would pay such a ransom, I am certain of it. But surely there is more to it than that. Why are we both held here together? This woman, who is she?” Elaine said, and Finlay shook his head.
“I know nothin’ of who she is. Only that she is a cruel and wicked woman, ruthless too. Her threats are nae idle, and I have nay doubt that she would think nothin’ of cuttin’ our throats if it were to her advantage,” Finlay said.
“Oh, Finlay, what a terrible mess we are in. I wish I knew what had become of Carys and the others. There are so many good people at Kilchurn, I was sad to leave it behind, though not to leave yer uncle behind,” Elaine said.
“My uncle has behaved without honor, though it seems he has had his comeuppance,” Finlay replied.
“He even suggested that he and I should be married,” Elaine said, letting out a snort and shaking her head.
“Married? Can ye imagine it,” Finlay said.
“A fate far worse than this,” Elaine said, and she began to laugh.
“Aye, perhaps being locked away in this grim place is nae so bad when ye consider the alternative,” Finlay said, and he laughed too, shaking his head and then yawning.
“I am so tired, Finlay. My whole body aches from that long ride,” Elaine said, stretching out and leaning back against the wall.
“Well, I cannae offer ye much in the way of a bed, but there is straw there, and ye can cover yerself with my cloak. Here ye are,” Finlay said, and he removed his cloak handing it to her and smiling.
“But ye shall be cold without it,” she protested, but Finlay shook his head.
“Ye need to rest. I am too much awake now to dae so. There is too much to think about. I will keep warm enough, but ye must sleep. This has been a terrible ordeal for ye,” he said, and Elaine nodded, smiling weakly at him as she took the cloak and wrapped herself up in it.
“Perhaps we shall know more when daylight comes. They cannae keep us here forever, surely,” she replied.
“We shall see. Now, get some sleep, Elaine. I will keep watch,” he said, and she nodded.
“Will ye… will ye sit a little closer?” she asked, and he smiled at her.
“Aye, of course, I shall, Daenae be afraid, I am here, and I shall nae allow any harm to come to ye, I promise,” he said, coming to sit close to her.
“I was so scared as I was being brought here, I didnae know what would become of me. If ye had nae been here, then I would have been so very terrified,” she said, and he shook his head, putting his arm around her, his hand gently caressing her as she rested her head upon his shoulder.
“Ye are braver than ye think, but ye are nae alone, daenae worry, I promise. I am glad that ye are here too, I had thought the worst, but at least we are together,” he said, pulling her close to comfort her.
She put her arm around him, the cloak wrapped over them both, and soon she was fast asleep. Finlay sat with his back against the wall, his hand gently over her, watching Elaine as now she slept. He was at a loss to understand what had happened that night, confused by this strange train of events that had led to Elaine’s arrival in the little tower room, the prison he had thought to be his own. But he found himself feeling grateful too, grateful to have her company and to know that she was safe.
Finlay had thought a lot of Elaine during his captivity, his mind dwelling upon her and wondering what might have been had he returned to Kilchurn. He had never imagined he would find himself with her now, brought here under such mysterious circumstances. But if he was forced to endure this ordeal with anyone, then he was glad that it was with Elaine.
Her face was now illuminated in the moonlight which shone through the window, peaceful as she slept. She looked beautiful lying there, her hair trailing around her face, which was soft and supple, a milky shade of white. He smiled, imagining for a moment what it would be like to reach out and gently take her hand in his. Would she stir?
Finlay now felt his own eyes growing heavy, sleep overcoming him. He sat up, trying to rouse himself, but to no avail, and instead, he lay down on the hard, cold flagstoned floor, sighing and closing his eyes. His troubles were many, but still, he felt the need to rest, hoping that things would seem clearer in the daylight. It was not long before he was asleep, the excitement of that night giving way to dreams of what might be, Elaine foremost in his mind as together they slept awaiting their fate.
Chapter Eleven
“Finlay, wake up,” Elaine said, shaking Finlay awake.
He looked up, blinking for a moment
in the sunlight streaming in through the slit window, rubbing his eyes and looking at her in surprise.
“Elaine, I … oh, of course, how strange to find ourselves here in this accursed place. I had hoped it might have been a dream,” he said, sitting up and stretching.
“The hardness of the floor proves otherwise, Finlay,” Elaine replied.
She stood up, crossing to the window and peering out. All she could see were the moorlands stretching endlessly out over the horizon. The sky was streaked with red, the dawn now breaking over this mysterious castle and not a sign of anyone as far as the eye could see.
“Ye must be hungry now, they bring bread and water, but that is all,” Finlay said, standing up and pacing up and down the room.
Highlander’s Forbidden Desire: Wanting her was forbidden, having her was his ruin... Page 12