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I’ve Been Waiting for You
By Mary Moriarty
Copyright © 2013, Mary Moriarty
Kindle Edition
Self-publishing
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, emailing, blogging, recording, or by any digital information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.
Dedication
First off, I want to thank my husband and all my family for their support, without it I would not be able to do this.
To my friends and readers, I write first for pleasure, but also to bring you all pleasure, then, for a few moments of some escape from the real world into mine, that I have created.
Lastly, to my friend and little Bro Rob, who still inspires me from above. I love and miss you so much! xx
Prologue
Slaine descended the stairs of the castle to the great hall. She had heard the commotion in the bailey. Soldiers of her husband, Sigtrygg, and mercenaries were arriving. She had seen them coming and going all morning long. She had also watched her mother-in-law’s retinue of soldiers and servants leave at daybreak. That had been a relief, as Slaine hated her husband’s mother, who had also been her step-mother.
When Gormflaith had arrived unannounced, Slaine had tried to be peaceable. That was one of her shortcomings, her father had once told her. She had then been driven to lock herself up in the solar, thinking it was wiser than taking the chance that she’d kill the woman. So she had stayed away from that venomous woman who had been once been married to her dear father. How he had wed that woman had been beyond Slaine’s thinking. Gormflaith was beautiful, even into her advanced years, but she was wicked. Slaine had heard enough of her to last a lifetime, and then some. She would have to do penance for the evil thoughts she had for that woman. So she’d taken her servants and locked herself up. Her husband had sent word for her to sup with him and guest. She had returned a message that said she sooner eat with the animals. One of her servants had returned repeating what Gormflaith, Sigtrygg’s mother, had said, “That can easily be arranged.” Slaine had gotten down on her knees right then and asked for forgiveness for the evil thoughts that had stormed her brain.
Now she descended the stairs from her refuge to the great hall. She heard her husband’s booming voice. Turning the corner she saw her husband, along with others, leaning over the banquet table looking at a map of Dublin and Clontarf. Something was being plotted for certain, from what she could hear of their talk. She clenched her free hand. Her other hand held their babe, Olaf.
Sigtrygg looked up and saw his young wife walking towards him. Slaine was as comely as they came. She had been given to him by his enemy the High King in marriage almost three years ago. One of the three daughters of King Brian Boru, she had been just sixteen when they had been wed, just a few months after their first meeting. She now stood in front of him, her gown a green wool trimmed in fur. She stood, her hair hanging in a red gold braid well below her waist.
He stood while some of his men continued to sit around with the battle plans that lay in front of them.
“My dear wife, I hope you are recovered from your illness.” He took her hand and kissed it. He saw sparks flashing from her green eyes. Indeed, she was her father’s daughter. He had gotten a tempest when he had wed Slaine. But she had proved a good wife and bedmate. She was loyal to her father, to a fault, but she also took good care of him and his eldest, young son. They now had a son of their own, who she carried on her hip. Little Olaf gurgled, cooed and reached for his father.
“How is my dearest little one?” He took the babe and held him high. The baby gurgled and smiled down at his father.
Slaine motioned for her maidservant to take the babe. “I didn’t come here to talk about our son, though he is fine, as am I. What I came to talk to you about is,” she let her hand sweep the table, “what is all this? I knew, with all the comings and goings of your men and what my servants have told me, that there are rumors of war and rebellion against my father.”
Sigtrygg took Slaine’s hand again and led her to a seat. “Sit, wife, and let’s talk.”
Slaine knew she had a lot of room to navigate. Her husband cared for her to a degree and rarely silenced her. It was probably because of the way he had been raised and who his mother was. He was a warrior but also listened to the women in his family, which was rare indeed. “Have your men take their leave, what I want to speak of has nothing to do with them.”
Sigtrygg bowed his head in her direction and then looked to the men seated around the table. “Take your leave men; we will continue our plans at a later time today.”
The men got up and bowed in the direction of Slaine. A few could be heard grumbling about women like her having far too much say in matters.
Slaine waited until the last had left. She got up out of her seat went and stood in front of the fire. Turning, she looked at her husband. “Bring our seats here by the fire, let us talk where it is warmer. I am chilled from this morning and time spent at the chapel for prayers being said for my dear father.”
Sigtrygg knew his wife loved her father and would ever be faithful to him, but this was like a dash of ice cold water from the North Sea. To hear her saying prayers for her father, the High King.
“I hope you said prayers for me, wife.”
They sat now in front of the roaring fire of the great hall. Servants had brought broth and bread, which sat untouched.
Slaine looked up at her husband through her lashes. “Oh, I did.”
Sigtrygg took a piece of bread and dipped in his broth. “Well, that’s good to hear.”
Slaine smiled. “I prayed that whatever you and your witch of a mother were plotting against my dear father, would not succeed. But if per chance it did, then the Wrath of God storm your door, because I won’t be with you, that’s for certain.”
Sigtrygg tried to curb his temper. “In all fairness, wife, you know I must defend my rights as King of Dublin.”
Slaine was up and standing over her husband. “And to align yourself with that woman, who is a daughter of the devil, I knew something was not right, even if she is your mother, I am your wife.”
“You are right my dear. You have reason to worry.”
Slaine whipped around at the sound of Gormflaith’s voice. “I thought you had left.”
Gormflaith came closer to her daughter-in-law. Slaine really was a beautiful creature. If what they said were true about her mother’s ancestry, then Slaine would become a powerful woman in her own right, someone to fear. “Dear, I did leave but returned. I wanted to see you one last time before I leave the area. I also wanted to see that darling grandson of mine, who you refuse to let me see. I have a right and will see him.”
Slaine looked from her husband to his mother, fury building in her small frame. She may be small but she had the strength of iron in her and her father’s strong will.
“Never, you witch...”
Gormflaith slapped Slaine, knowing her son would never allow another strike, so she wanted to make this one count.
Sigtrygg stood up, putting himself between the two women. Slaine was reaching past her husband and trying to grab ahold of Gormflaith.
They all turned to the sound of the baby’s laughter.
Gormflaith turned to the sound of the child. “Ah, my grandchild. Come here maid and bring the babe.”
The maid looked at Sigtrygg and Slaine, not knowing who she should listen to.<
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“I said bring the babe here, to me!” Gormflaith said with growl. The maid scurried over handing the baby over, then ran out of the room.
Slaine punched at her husband’s chest as he held her while his mother held their son. He tried to calm Slaine but she was beside herself.
Slaine looked up into his face. “You will regret this day Sigtrygg, siding with that woman, allowing her to hold our son. If anything happens to my father I will divorce you and take our son to be raised among my folk.” She tried pulling away but Sigtrygg held her fast. “I may divorce you anyway.” She screamed at her husband as she finally pulled away from Sigtrygg and grabbed her son. “Mark my words, the both of you, if anything happens to my father...”
Grabbing her son she then fled the great hall with her servants running behind her. As she ascended the stairs to the solar, she turned to her lady in waiting. “Gather my staff together. We will travel to my brother’s castle, Caislean Bhun Raithe.”
A younger maid came up to her mistress. “We go to Bunratty?”
“Yes,” was Slaine’s reply, “now make haste!”
Sigtrygg sat with his mead untouched in front of him. A full meal had been laid out for him, and all who visited. His mother sat in his wife’s chair. He felt a small hand on his arm. Looking down he saw it was his other young son, Thor.
“Where has mama gone, father?”
Sigtrygg took a long draught of his mead. Looking over at his mother he saw her smile at one of the men. She was on one of her conquests. Putting his goblet down, he took his son up onto his lap. “She has gone to her brother’s castle.”
The young child looked up into his father’s face. His father looked sad. He rested his head on his chest and patted his heart. “Would you like me to wish her back? She always told me if you really wanted something, to wish before going to sleep and the fairies would help.”
Sigtrygg looked down at his young son. Thor had been his one and only son from his second wife, who had died giving birth to him. The only mother he had ever known had been Slaine. She had been a very good one. Barely out of childhood herself she had taken Thor to her bosom and would hold and rock him every night like he had been her own. She would tell him stories of the wee folk she was reputed to be from. She kept him with her most of the time, like their own babe. Working on tapestries, herbs, nursing folk, she had healed his household. Now he felt the emptiness of her leaving. She would not be returning. Maybe he should send his son to be with her. He knew she loved Thor as her own and would care for him. Here the child would have no one, especially if he should die in battle. A battle his mother was stirring up to happen against the High King.
Maybe he should try and get her back, try to win her heart, something he had never done. She had been given to him in marriage, and though he had been a kind husband and had cared for her, there was no real love in this marriage. Maybe because he had allowed his mother too much free reign. He knew Slaine hated Gormflaith, and always would.
Looking into his son’s eyes, “How would you like to go to your Uncle’s to be with your Mama?” He whispered in the child’s ear. “It’s our secret.”
Thor looked up to his father and saw a tear hanging on his cheek. “Not if you are going to be sad.”
Sigtrygg smiled. “Yes, I would be sad but happy you are going to be with your Mama. You see,” he whispered quietly into the child’s ear, not wanting his mother to hear. He knew his mother was leaving tomorrow for Dublin and he was to follow. He would send his son off to Bunratty. The last person he wanted to raise his son was his mother, should anything happen to him. Should he live, well, Thor really needed his mother.
* * * * * * * *
Slaine sat in the great hall of Bunratty Castle, one of the many castles of her family. She sat with all her brothers and one of her uncles, who had just arrived. Donnchad, the second oldest son of their father, sat with their Uncle, Wolf the Quarrelsome, discussing strategies of warfare. In walked two more of her brothers, along with Sigtrygg’s brother who had left his brother’s camp disgusted, and had asked to join the High King’s army.
The two younger sons of the King, Murchad and Murrough, came up to their youngest sister. “How is our fair young sister? We heard rumors the witch slapped you and that you gave it back to her.”
Slaine smiled up at her brothers. “No, I didn’t. Though I am still doing penance for the evil thoughts I had against her.”
“What evil thoughts, my beautiful aunt?” Turlough, Murrough’s fifteen year old son, came striding in. He was as big as his father and weighed almost as much. He caught Slaine around the waist and swung her around. “I’m so glad you are back here where you belong. Divorce Sigtrygg, you will find another husband who will be worthy of your love, attention and money.”
All the men laughed.
“Yes, she will be the most eligible bride again, almost as good as horses.”
“Can we get one hundred and forty horses for her? If so, I know of an old earl who could use a wife to clean his keep.”
Slaine playfully punched at her brother Murchad. “I will be picking my own husband thank you, and none of you will have a say about it.”
Donnchad got up and hugged his little sister. “You don’t need to marry, stay here and help with Bunratty, it’s yours by rights, Da has said it’s to be yours when he dies.”
“Who’s talking of my impending doom?” A booming voice brought everyone to attention.
“Father, Da,” was said in unison. Slaine walked into her father’s outstretched arms and was engulfed in the High King’s hug.
He put his beloved daughter Slaine back a bit and looked at her. “These last couple of years have been good to you daughter. I had word you left Sigtrygg.”
Slaine hugged her father again, happy she had him near her. “Yes, I’ve brought our son, Olaf, with me. Sigtrygg has sent his other son, Thor, to be with me to raise.”
At the sound of his name Thor looked up at the High King and smiled timidly.
“Come here, son,” The High King said.
Thor pushed away from the great table and jumped down off the bench. He went and stood next to his Mama and the great King. “Yes, sire?”
Thor stood and waited but wasn’t frightened. The King smiled, laughed his deep, rumbly laugh and lifted him up. “While I’m here, would you like me and your uncles to teach you how to ride a horse? We will pick out a gentle horse that is to be yours. I remember my first horse, given to me by my brother,” the High King looked away, a wistful look crossing his face, then turning his attention back to the young boy.
Thor looked at the King, “Yes, very much.”
The King put him down, patted his shoulder and looked directly into his eyes. “Then we will start teaching you while we are here, son. Just promise me to always listen to your dear Mama here and protect her if ever comes the time, lay down your life for her if need be.”
Thor looked up at the King and then at the only mother he had ever known. “Yes, always.”
* * * * * * * *
Slaine was directing the servants on where people would sleep, when a commotion could be heard from outside. All the men were up and swords were drawn. The servants scurried to the corners and Slaine took the sleeping babe from the maid and pulled Thor to her skirts. Thor pushed himself away and went and stood with the men. Donnchad, seeing the little boy standing with the King, knelt down. “Here is my dagger, son, you are to defend your Mama.”
All eyes turned as the Man-at-Arms came rushing in. Shock on his face as he was met by a roomful of men with swords drawn. Kneeling low, “Sire, King Cormac O’Heachthanna, Queen Elsabet, and their son Prince Colum, have arrived along with servants and their men.”
The King sheathed his sword and smiled at his sons. “Lucky for them that they are on our side, they live to see another day.”
Colum walked a few paces behind his father. Their Men-at-Arms walked behind them. Elsabet, Colum’s mother held his arm. They walked into the great hall of
Bunratty Castle and were met by most of the men still holding their swords. Colum had his sword out in lightning speed and pushed his mother back. He heard her hiss as she also drew her sword.
Slaine had heard of this Prince and his father, bigger than any man ever to live. They were giants. In they walked into their great room.
King Brian stepped forward quickly and heard a curse from his son. “Silence and sheath your swords, men. King Cormac and his son come in peace and to help, not to slay us.”
The High King walked up to the visiting King first, and then his son. Then he turned to Elsabet, who stood so still Slaine thought for a moment she had become a statue. “Cormac, Colum, come sit by the fire and warm yourselves.”
He bent and kissed the hand the Queen Elsabet. Slaine saw a smile spread on her lips. “Too bad you aren’t one of us Brian.”
Slaine wondered at that odd comment, and at her father’s reply in the old language. Slaine pushed those thoughts aside, though, and instantly warmed to the woman who appeared to be as old as her father, but still so beautiful.
The Queen, Elsabet, turned towards the High King’s daughter. “Slaine, I have heard so much about you,” she said as she looked at the High King’s youngest daughter.
Slaine curtsied deep in front of the Queen. “I have heard much of you as well. But what did you mean a moment ago, if only my father were like you?”
Elsabet laughed her laugh that could disarm the most hardened warrior. “Ah dear, that is for another time.” Taking Slaine’s hand she turned towards her son. “Slaine, let me present my son Prince, Colum O’Heachthanna.”
Slaine curtsied deeply in front of the giant warrior. His hair was as black as a raven. When she looked into his eyes, she saw that they were an odd color, almost a red brown. But as she stared into his face, they seemed to change to a dark purple. She felt her hand taken in his massive one, as she stood up, he brought her hand to his lips.
“It’s my pleasure, for certain. Maybe you will introduce me to your brave little warrior, who at this moment stands ready to slay the first one who advances on you.”
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