by Barbara Bard
“I understand ye concern, Lord Riley. This decision came with much thinking and difficulty. But I believe that this will serve well fer our people. Our kinship with Lord Torstein will prove vital in our struggle.”
“But now he kens where ye will be headed tae. He kens of yer whereabouts. What is tae stop him from revealing this to his Sassenach lords?”
Isla placed her hands on Lord Riley’s shoulder and looked him deep in the eye. “All we hae,” she said, “is trust.”
Lord Riley shook his head. “Trust is a hard thing to come by these days, me lady.”
“Aye. Indeed. But we hae tae start thinking past the single tree in the forest tae the broader goals at stake. Only then will we be victorious.”
“I understand…But ken that I will be keeping a close eye on Lord Torstein’s movement. Ye may trust him—but I dinnae.”
A smile from Isla. “I would expect nothing less, Lord Riley.”
“Isla!” Gavina called out, running up to her sister with one of the helmets belonging to one of Lord Riley’s men on top of her head. “Look what I found!”
Finlay and Lord Riley laughed as Gavina did her best to adjust the oversized helmet.
“Where did ye find that?” Isla inquired.
“From one of Lord Riley’s men,” Gavina shrugged. “He did nae seem tae mind that I took it.”
“Oye!” someone called out from a distance. “Where is me helmet?”
Isla rolled her eyes, removed the helmet from Gavina’s head and placed it in her hands. “Return this,” she said. “Right now.”
Gavina said. “All right,” she protested as she turned around and went to return the helmet to her owner.
Riley pointed. “That girl,” he said, “will be quite the formidable opponent one day.”
Isla nodded. “I wholeheartedly agree.” She turned to Finlay. “I must speak with ye. I hae a request that only ye can help me with.”
“Name it, me lady,” Finlay said. “I am at yer disposal.”
“Very well—because I need ye to lead the tribe for a short while as I rest. I need ye tae act as the leader of these people. They trust ye. I trust ye.” Finlay opened his mouth to offer up protest, but Isla placed a finger to his lips and said: “Please, Finlay. I need yer help.”
It took him a moment, but eventually Finlay nodded his confirmation and told her: “As ye wish, me lady.”
Chapter 37
Another day passed. Isla had made incredible strides in her recovery, fascinating everyone, including Finlay, with how far she had come. That morning, Isla and Finlay took a walk through the village, everyone in the clan going about trading supplies and food rations with Riley’s men as they prepared for their trek across the Highlands in the immediate future.
Isla, per usual, was eager to leave, but Finlay made it a point to make sure that each morning was designated with the intention to enjoy the nature and surrounding beauty that they had rarely had the chance to enjoy.
They walk through the surrounding countryside, for once not feeling that the oppression of the Sassenach was right around the corner.
“It feels like a new day,” Isla said. “I am rather enjoying the change in tone.”
Finlay nodded. “Aye, me lady. Though I am having a difficult time embracing this new position that ye hae granted me.”
“Why is that, me love?”
“Ye are properly on the mend. I dinnae understand why ye feel it necessary fer me tae resume command we ye are quite capable of leading on yer own.”
Isla shrugged, “It is like ye said: I require time tae rest, nae only physically but mentally as well.”
They came to the edge of a cliff side, not far from where Denholm had fallen a short time ago. They sat in the grass, Isla running her hands through the blades and breathing in the sweet aroma of the air.
“I hae nae had a moment like this in a long time, me love,” she said. “I just want tae enjoy it as long as possible.” She took his hand into hers. “I hope ye dinnae think me selfish.”
He shook his head. “Nae in the slightest. Ye hae worked hard and fer such a long time.”
Isla nuzzled her head against Finlay’s broad shoulder, Finlay wincing from his still healing wound from the battle he had endured with Lord Henry.
“I am sorry,” she said. “I hae forgotten ye are still wounded.”
Finlay waved her off. “I am healing fast,” he said, “though nae as fast as ye.”
“We hae endured enough injuries and scars tae last us a lifetime.”
“Aye. Indeed, me lady.”
“I wish for the next generation tae nae suffer in the way we hae. I will make sure that our children and our children’s children will be able tae live in peace.”
“Ye hae given them that chance, me lady. Believe me, ye have.”
They shared the silence for a short while, nothing but the breeze and the chirping of birds keeping them company as they held each other and gave thanks silently to God for giving them another day to live.
“We should speak tae the clan,” Isla said. “The time for us tae leave this place has finally arrived.” She looked him in the eye. “I want ye tae dae it. I cannae think of anyone better tae tell our people that their freedom has finally arrived.”
An hour later, the entire collective of the clan was ordered to gather in the center of Riley’s village. Standing in a tight huddle, Isla could see how many members had been lost due to the significantly smaller number of people that were now holding court in front of her. Once all were gathered, Finlay stood on top of a box and held his hands out like he was about to embrace everyone in attendance.
“Attention,” he said, all heads turning to lay eyes upon him. “I wish tae speak with ye now.”
Everyone waited as Finlay turned to Isla and looked for a nod of approval. Once she did, he cleared his throat, made it a point to look each person in the eye, and began speaking.
“I ken,” he began, “how long and hard each of ye has struggled tae arrive at this day. We hae lost friens, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and more people than any of us care tae admit.
“There is nothing I can say that will bring the fallen members of our clan back. There are no words I can offer that will properly ease the suffering that each and every one of us has endured. But what I can tell ye is that the time fer our collective suffering has come tae an end. We will nae longer live lives defined by violence or war.”
He looked to Isla. “Yer lady, Lady Isla, has designated me yer temporary leader. I accept this position with the upmost reluctance because nae better leader has ever graced the face of the earth.”
Heads nodded, someone clapped, a few other mumbled and whispered words of approval to the man or woman next to them.
“This is a temporary position,” Finlay said, “and one that I hope I will fulfill tae the approval of every man, women, and child in this clan. Ye hae accepted me as one of yer own, and fer that I am forever grateful. I will take the example that our Lady has set and make it a point to be yer leader, one that will hear the words of my people and execute our decisions based on the collective good that will benefit us all.
“Tomorrow, we will make our leave fer our new home. It will be a long journey, but it shall be the last one that we will make fer quite some time. Rest easy now, all of ye. Yer time of struggle has come tae an end—the time fer peace has finally arrived. I thank ye all, and I wish us all good luck and good fortune in our journey tae come.”
Finlay stepped off of the box and was greeted by handshakes and hugs from several of the clan members. Isla and Gavina watched from the side with proud smiles before Gavina threw her arms around Finlay and told him that she loved him.
The following day, the clan was once again gathered in the center of the village, a caravan of horses and wheel wagons packed with supplies at the ready as everyone mounted their ride and prepared to move out.
Lord Riley, standing with his wife, stood with Isla and Finlay and prepared to bid t
heir goodbyes.
“Send word once ye hae arrived in yer new home,” Riley said. “This alliance of ours will be one that will benefit both of our clans fer a lifetime.”
Finlay embraced Lord Riley, the two men holding the hug for as long as possible.
“Thank ye, Lord Riley,” Finlay whispered in the man’s ear. “Fer all ye hae done. We would nae hae made it through to the other side without ye.”
Lord Riley nodded. “I believe the same tae be true fer me as well, Finlay Baird. Ye are a good man. Ye will carry on yer family’s legacy well.”
“Thank ye, Lord Riley.”
Lord Riley pulled him in close. “And keep a close eye on Lord Torstein. I still dinnae trust that man’s intentions.”
Finlay nodded intently. “I will, me Lord. Believe me, I will…”
Isla embraced Lord Riley’s wife, the two women having grown fond of one another during the course of Isla’s recuperation.
“Make sure ye use the ointments I gave ye,” Lord Riley’s wife said. “They will help with the scarring.”
Isla smiled. “I wish tae hold on tae me scars, me lady. They remind me of the past. They remind me of the struggles we endured tae finally reach this place.”
“Gae now,” Riley said, gesturing to the caravan. “Ye hae a long journey ahead of ye.”
The final goodbyes were given, and Isla and Finlay mounted their horses at the head of the clan and ordered them to move out. As they left the village, Riley and his wife waved them goodbye as the caravan turned into a faint outline in the distance, a glimmer of hope following after them as the sun glinted in the horizon.
One day later, the group had set up camp in an open field just off the main road that they were using to make their trek. The twilight hour had arrived, and the collective energy of the clan was nothing shy of joyful as a fire was kindled, food was cooked, and bottles of whiskey—courtesy of Lord Riley—were cracked open and shared amongst the members of the clan who used the liquid courage to fuel their singing.
Isla sat next to Finlay, his arm around her shoulder and Gavina positioned in front of them as one of the clan members began singing a Scottish fable that had once been sung by Laird William during his tenure as leader of the clan.
Isla and Finlay did not partake in the singing. They merely watched the clan go about their merry celebration and taking note of the jovial demeanor that everyone seemed to sport. Several men play fought, a few of the women gossiped about how thick and strong Finlay’s arms were, and the children ran and laughed and played in the grass as the twinkling stars above left those who were slightly worse for the wear mesmerized by their heavenly beauty.
Isla leaned in and whispered into Finlay’s ear: “I hae nae seen my people this happy. Never.”
Finlay showcased a smile, “Never?”
Isla shook her head and kissed his cheek, “Never.”
The singing, drinking, and eating continued for some time, each member of the clan slowly falling to slumber as the night continued and the singing slowly began to fade away. Not knowing what time it was, Isla stood, grabbed Finlay by the hand, and nodded over her shoulder to her tent not far away. Finlay could see the devious look in his lady’s eyes and had a hunch as to what was going to transpire next.
They entered the tent, Isla closing the flap and standing at attention in front of Finlay. She said nothing as she slowly slipped off her wardrobe and stood nude in front of him. “Look at me,” she said.
Finlay did, smiling fondly and proudly at his lady. “It is nothing I hae nae seen before, me lady.”
She shook her head. “I am different,” she said, tracing a finger from the scar in her belly that hooked near her naval. “I am nae the woman I once was.”
Finlay stepped closer, rubbing his bare hands across her bare skin. “Ye are still the woman I love,” he said. “Nae a thing in this world can change that.”
Isla hooked one arm around his neck and used her free hand to pull of Finlay’s belt.
“One thing is for certain,” she said, smiling and sliding her hands down the front of his pants. “I hae more scars than ye.”
Finlay shook his head defiantly. “I doubt that very much, me lady.”
“Prove it,” she said as her lips lingered near his.
Finlay began slowly taking of his tunic, Isla running a hand over his own scars as the two began comparing which of them had the “better marks.” The playfulness then turned into slowly and paced kissing, picking up in rhythm as they held each other’s naked bodies and wrapped around on other like a warm blanket.
Isla pressed Finlay onto his back, mounting him and saying that she wanted to prove just how much on the mend she was. Seated on top of him, their words then turned into pleasant groans and moaning that lasted through the night, Isla on top of Finlay the entire time and grinding with sheer ecstasy on top of him as the hours melted away and became defined by nothing but total and utter pleasure.
They laid with one another several times that night until they were exhausted and fell asleep, Finlay holding Isla in his arms and telling her several times over how much he loved her.
Chapter 38
The clan had been traveling for several days, their final destination now just a stone’s throw away as the morning food rations were set out and everyone in the clan set about their various duties. For Finlay, it was a morning filled with intention. The time had come for him to do what he was intent on doing for quite some time.
Isla, still asleep on her side, was slowly rousted from her slumber by Finlay in the wee hours of the morning. “Me lady,” he said. “Awake. I wish tae speak with ye.”
Isla wiped the drowsiness from her eyes as she slowly reached for her clothing and said: “Where are we going?”
Finlay smiled. “Come now,” he said, holding out his hand for Isla to take up. “It is a surprise.”
Isla’s mouth curved into a curious smile as she dressed and followed after Finlay, the two of them mounting a pair of horses and riding for a half mile outside of their encampment at the edge of cliff where single tree stood hunched over and blew pleasantly in the wind.
“Why hae ye brought me here?” Isla inquired.
Finlay, his nerves getting the better of him, began wringing his fingers as he searched carefully for the words to best associate with his feelings. “It is nae mystery that I love ye,” he said. “Right?”
A nod from Isla accompanied by a smile. “Aye.”
“I dinnae want tae be presumptuous, but…” He began stumbling through his speech, his nerves at their peak and causing him to smile nervously.
Isla laughed and took his hands. “What is it, me love?”
Finlay stared at her for a long moment, his eyes pleading and full of admiration.
He drew a breath, looked his love in the eye, and said: “Marry me, Isla. Be my wife. Allow me tae be yer husband. I cannae fathom another day on this earth withoot the knowledge that we are together as man and wife.”
Isla was elated; tears of joy streaming down her face as her mouth open to unleash a wave of euphoric pleasantries. “My God, Finlay…”
He frowned. “Oh, naw…Ye dinnae want tae!”
“Naw! Naw!” Isla said, taking his face in her hands. “I dae! With all me heart, I dae! I love ye, Finlay Baird. Ye are the only man I wish tae be with. I will happily be yer wife, now and forever mair.”
The two began crying and laughing, holding onto one another and embracing in what felt like the best moment yet in their relationship.
“I cannae tell ye,” Finlay said, “how happy ye hae made me.”
They kissed. “Aye,” Isla said. “The feeling is mutual.”
Finlay fell to one knee. “I suppose it is only right to ask ye properly.” Isla could do nothing else but smile. “Marry me,” Finlay said. “Will ye marry me, Lady Isla?”
A nod. “Aye. Aye, I will marry ye, Finlay Baird.”
They embraced once more, feeling better than they ever had in their life before Isla
broke the hug and said: “I hae another idea,” she said, looking back in the direction of their camp.
“What is it?” Finlay asked.
Isla bit her lip, excited to propose the next part to her new love.
The entire clan was gathered around the tree two hours later, each person in attendance smiling fondly as Isla and Finlay stood hand-in-hand underneath the shade of the tree. A man name Eamon, a religious man with the ability to wed the partners, greeted all those in attendance as he started the procession.
“Welcome,” Eamon said, his arms outstretched. “A glorious day it is tae be here in the presence of these two people. It is nae mystery that Isla and Finlay hae come together today to join in the holy bonds of matrimony. All of ye in attendance are a witness to a great union, and I hae nae doubt that nae one among us can offer up protest tae this marriage.”