by Aury Dobsyn
“It all started five years ago, when Laird Macleod brought Ualan to the cottage I lived in with my father. I was an only child and my father a widower, who was gone for long periods of time taking cattle south to be sold. Ualan had a cottage not far from ours, but since he was unable to walk at the time, it was asked that he stay in our cottage. I saw to his meals and Lady Esme came each day to clean and bandage his wounded leg.”
Ella asked, “Why did he not just stay in the castle?”
Looking over to where Ualan was standing by the ovens and satisfied that he was oblivious to their conversation, Fin answered, “He did for the first few days, but then he demanded to stay in his own cottage. I think ‘twas then he realize that he would nae recover from his injury enough to continue as a warrior for the Macleods. He dinna want to see the pity in the faces of the men he fought alongside for so many years.” Fin lifted her chin and said with pride, “He was one of the finest warriors to fight for the Macleods, ye ken. In Laird Macleod’s blackguard as well.”
“He looks every bit the warrior to me,” Ella acknowledged.
Fin graced her with a warm smile, then in a hushed tone went on with the story. “The first month I cared for him, his petulant behavior and peevish remarks made me want to rip out my hair. The only time his irritable mood gave way was when he was eating the meals I provided. He soon became interested in how I cooked, started asking questions and before long I was nae longer cooking for him, but with him.”
“What a wonderful way to befriend someone. Please continue, I am eager to hear the rest of this tale,” Ella said as she ate the remainder of the eggs.
With her bandaged hands, Fin pushed the empty trencher away, then leaned into the table. There was a tremor in her voice when she started again. “My father was livid when he came home and learned that his young daughter had been living under the same roof with a grown man. But, since it had been dictated so by our laird, my father could nae protest the arrangement. He did, however, suggest that Ualan’s meals be brought to his cottage each day, so my reputation wouldnae be damaged.”
“Ualan was able to walk by then, nae well mind ye, but sufficient enough to make his way back to his own cottage. Over the next sennight I brought Ualan meals once in the morning and once in the evening. And since my father ne’er cared for my company, or me for that matter, I began to spend more time with Ualan.”
Shame crossed Fin’s features as she divulged her painful past. “My father was a verra cruel man, who blamed me for my mother’s death. She died birthing me and for that he gave me neither love nor kindness. One night, after drinking for many hours at his friend’s cottage, he returned home full of rage and accusations. He called me a whore, said that I was trying to seduce Ualan and that I would be punished for my sins.”
“How old were ye?”
“Four and ten.”
“You were so young. How did he punish you?”
Fin’s eyes drifted to the floor as she recounted the horrific night. "He beat me continuously for the next few hours, sometimes with his fist, other times with his belt, and only halted long enough to drink more whiskey. When my dress hindered the belt from breaking skin, he stripped me until I was completely naked, and then whipped me until I bled. My father said I was vain and wicked, and that he would see that nae man looked at me with lust in his eyes ever again. He then found a pair of shears and cut off all my hair. Because he couldnae stand the sight of me, I was then locked in the pantry.”
“That monster,” Ella growled. “How could he do that to his daughter, his own flesh and blood?”
Tears welled in Fin’s eyes as she continued, “Locked away, I could still hear him ranting and raving, bent on destruction. He took the shears to all my cloths and broke every item I possessed. Sometime later, when the cottage went silent, I realized my father had fallen sleep. Through cracks in the pantry door, I saw the morning light fade into the afternoon, then it was dark once again, and still my father dinna let me out.”
With love shining in her eyes, Fin glanced over at Ualan then turned back to Ella as she finished her tale. “The next morning I woke to Ualan’s angry shouts demanding to ken where I was and that he would nae leave until he saw me. My father told him I was unwell and dinna want to see him. Ualan pushed his way into the cottage and searched for me without success. I was so cold and in so much pain, but did manage to scratch at the pantry door. The door flew open a moment later and there Ualan stood, frozen with shock at the sight of me. My father screamed that it was his right to punish his daughter anyway he saw fit. Ualan almost beat my father to death before he limped over to the pantry, wrapped me in his plaid and carried me to the castle.”
“And do ye ken what the fool lass said to me?”
Startled, both women turned to Ualan when they heard his deep voice, but his eyes were fixed on Fin’s alone.
“She told me to put her down so I would nae hurt my leg. She weighs less than a bag of grain, and I was nae about to let her go.”
Turning to Ella, Ualan said, “Lady Esme insisted that we both come live in the castle, and Laird Gavin banished Fin’s father from the clan. While Fin recovered, I took over as cook and when she was well again, she joined me in the kitchen.”
Ella saw no scars on Fin’s elfin face, but she did notice that her hair was uncommonly short, just reaching her shoulders. She took hold of her hand and said, “I am glad that your vile father was banished, although I would have preferred a harsher punishment. And I am more than glad that you and Ualan came to live in the castle. I think you both are wonderful, and it is my greatest hope to be friends.”
With tears rimming her eyes, Fin looked at Ualan, and then back at Laird Gavin’s wife. “Thank ye, Ella. I would like that verra much.”
Ella broke into a wide, open smile, and then excused herself from their company with the promise to return later that day.
She headed to the stables and explained to Paen and Leif why she had been so late, which they both dismissed with a shrug. The day passed quickly and she soon found herself back in the kitchen after the evening meal. With her new friends, she laughed and jested until it was time to retire for the night. Later in her bed, sleep came quickly, but it was anything but peaceful.
52
“Ella, Ella, wake up! ‘Tis only a dream,” Lady Esme said as she wrapped her arms protectively around the young woman.
“Yer safe, sweetheart. All is well,” she continued to croon.
Gavin’s mother had been walking up the stone stairs to the second floor, when she heard Ella cry out. Bursting into the chamber, she quickly discovered that her son’s wife was having a terrifying nightmare.
“He was hurting her, beating her until she lay in a pool of blood,” Ella cried as she clung to Lady Esme. “I tried to stop him, but he was too strong. Uncle James was fighting to get to us, but he was bleeding. He was hurt. And I couldnae help him. I couldnae help either one of them.” As she sobbed in the older woman’s arms, she feared that her dream was a premonition of the future.
“Shhhh, ‘twas only a dream, naught more. Ye have been in a fretful state these past few days, and tonight yer dream reflected the fear that plagues ye. I have often had nightmares when my sons were away fighting in battle. My dreams are horrific, but when I wake, I realize ‘twas only a dream. And when my sons come home, all is well again. “
Ella gave a slight nod, but remained silent. She was content in the arms of the kind woman, who reminded her of her own mother.
“Do ye want me to stay until ye fall back to sleep?”
With tears streaming down her face, Ella nodded.
Leaning back against the pillow, Lady Esme tightened her arms around the lass, and then began to hum softly until she slumbered once again. She carefully eased out of the bed, then kissed Ella’s cheek before leaving the chamber.
The lingering trepidation Ella felt the previous night covered her like a thick fog, preventing her from focusing on any task or conversation. By midday she excused
herself from her usual routine and went to the barbican to walk the parapet wall that overlooked the vast countryside. The warm early June weather was coupled with a slight breeze, making it more than tolerable.
Ella wore a deep blue side less tunic over a dove white, short sleeve chemise. The garment was loose, but pulled together with a thin leather belt that hung low on her hips. Since her back was still healing, it was preferable to other styles of dress that required a tight fitting girdle. Her aunt and uncle often had remarked that they would love to see her dress thusly. Like a lady.
For hours her gaze remained fixed on horizon while she walked the parapet wall. She hoped to see a sign of Gavin returning with her family and prayed they were all well.
Suddenly, off in the distance she spotted riders coming towards the castle. She was unable to identify who or how many rode in the party, but nevertheless, her excitement peaked.
Running to one of the guardsmen, she asked, “Do you see what I see? Pray, tell me I am nae imagining riders coming this way?”
“Nae, Lady Ella, yer eyes dinna deceive ye.”
Horns blared for a moment, warning all within the keep that riders approached. The guard then said, “I will escort ye to the hall, milady.”
Although, she had no wish to leave, Ella allowed herself to be escorted into the bailey, where Paen and Tavish were waiting. Within moments the bailey filled with curious men and woman, all wanting to know if their laird returned with Lady Ella’s family.
“We should wait in the hall,” Tavish suggested.
Neither Paen or Ella moved as they stared at the battlements, waiting for the identity of the riders to be confirmed.
Paen left their company briefly, then returned with disappointment in his eyes when he said to Ella, “’Tis nae Gavin. The men were sent by Greystone with a message for ye.”
Fear, stark and vivid, glittered in her eyes. She choked back a cry as a cold knot formed in her stomach. A spasmodic trembling took hold of her body when she saw two Greystone soldiers admitted and escorted over to her and Gavin’s brothers. The expression on the English soldier’s faces was contrite as they handed her a written missive.
She unrolled the missive and read:
My Dearest Niece,
It is my deepest regret to inform you of the death of Lady Eleanor of Greystone and Sir James. After word arrived that you broke your betrothal to Baron Montgomery and married against your guardian’s wishes, my dear wife was so consumed with grief that she tried to run away.
As for Sir James, he ignored the King’s command to return to his service and attempted to aid her folly. They were both caught on the cliff above spitting caves.
When my wife’s bastard brother would nae relinquish his hold on my wife, I was forced to stab him. Unfortunately, before I was able to get my wife out of harm’s way, the cliff ledge gave out and both Eleanor and James fell to their death.
I hope you will not blame yourself for their death’s or let the loss of your only family mar your newfound happiness in your marriage. I have sent your belonging, along with Eleanor’s favorite tapestry, to give you comfort while you grieve. I will keep you in my prayers and heart always.
Until Our Paths Cross Again,
Philip Canbury, Baron of Greystone
Acute pain, so raw and primitive, overwhelmed her. And when she dropped the parchment, and watched it float to the ground as her body violently trembled. She felt hands try to pull her into an embrace, but she broke free and bolted from the bailey. Tears blurred her vision as ran away from everyone and everything. Her need to be alone outweighed all else.
Paen allowed her to break away from him, and then watched her disappear through a postern gate. She was going to the loch, he guessed, since it was the only place she could grieve in solitude. He quickly read the missive, then was handed a sack containing the remnants of the shredded tapestry. He cursed viciously at the devastating blow while his mother rushed over to him.
“What has happened?”
Paen faced his mother and Tavish, then relayed the contents of the missive.
“Dear God and heaven! Where is she? She canna be alone,” Lady Esme cried.
Taking hold of his mother’s shoulders, Paen stated, “She went to the loch, Arth followed. Ye will nae go to her. We will allow her to mourn in private, but I will watch over her from a distance and keep her safe.”
His fierce gaze turned to Tavish. “I want Greystone’s men escorted off our land immediately. Also, assign men to wait on the southern border for Gavin.” Handing the missive to Tavish, he added, “I want Gavin to read this before he arrives, and to be informed that his wife has already done so.”
“Aye, the latter I will see done myself.” Tavish started to walk away, then turned and said, “Do ye think Gavin kens of their death?”
“Aye, and I believe he will be here verra soon.”
After Tavish left, Lady Esme cried to Paen, “What can I do to help? Dear Lord, all I want to do is hold her, to take away her pain.”
“There will be time for that later, for now, just make sure there is plenty of food ready for Gavin and the others.”
She nodded, hugged her son, and then rushed off to the kitchens.
Before following Ella, Paen glanced around the bailey and was stunned by the sight that greeted him. More than a hundred men, women and children had gathered and were openly mourning the loss of Lady Ella’s aunt and uncle. It was at that moment he realized how important Ella had become to the Macleods. Her pain was now theirs, and they would stand by her during her time of need. Paen had never been prouder of his clan, of his people, then he was today.
53
Gavin arrived two hours later, eyes flamed with rancorous ire after learning that he had been too late, and that his wife knew that Lady Eleanor and Sir James were dead.
Paen greeted and accompanied him to the lock as he explained, “I’ve kept my distance, but watched over her nevertheless. She was never alone.”
“Thank ye.”
“Good Luck! Ye will need it.” With that said, Paen went back to the castle.
Gavin entered the forest and walked briskly along the path that led to the loch. All he could think about was enveloping her in his arms, to try to absorb her pain. He hated tears in women, but Ella rarely cried. Not even when her back was cauterized did she shed a tear. But this was different. Even the hardest man would cry at the lost of a loved one.
As his powerful strides carried him to the loch, he heard a twig snap behind him. Whipping around swiftly, he then saw his little wife swing a thick tree branch at his head. He instantly threw his head back as it whooshed passed his face and slammed into an adjacent tree.
So stunned by the attack, Gavin did not prevent her next swing, which was aimed at his midsection. Deftly jumping back, he avoided the blow, and then watched as the heavy branch she wielded smash into a tree. Before she could swing again, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, pinning her limbs to her sides.
“Let me go! They are dead because of you! I hate you! Do you hear me? I want nothing to do with the man who destroyed my only family!”
With a soft, controlled voice, he said, “Ella, I dinna destroy yer family. I promise that Greystone and Montgomery will pay for what they have done.”
“Keep your worthless promises,” she spat. “I have nothing now because of you. They are all gone. . . all dead. They were the only ones who wanted me. The only ones who loved me. Oh God, I’m all alone.” Her voice became a whisper as her body went limp.
“Ye are nae alone. And they were nae the only ones who want and love ye, little one.”
Tearing herself away, Ella pummeled his chest with her little fists and cried, “Nae, I want them back. Don’t take them from me. My heart. . . it hurts. They all died . . .because of me.”
Gavin let her vent her pain on him, then gathered her close, and allowed her to sob into his chest. When her legs started to buckle, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the creeping will
ow tree that sat on the bank of the loch. With his back against the massive trunk, he sat down and held her against his heart, while her grief piqued. For over an hour she stayed in his lap, fists clenched the fabric of his tunic, as she wept.
As he gently rocked her, yielding tender kisses to the top of her head, he silently prayed.
‘Lord, I ask ye to see me through my vow to destroy the men responsible for my wife’s loss. She has endured so much pain, so much heartache. I pray to ye, ease her suffering, for I love her more than my own life.”
After Ella cried herself to sleep, Gavin carried her to her chamber in the castle and undressed her with the utmost care. He soon had her in a knee length, sleeping gown and tucked her into bed. Even though he was hungry, tired and in desperate need of a bath, he was unable to leave. He settled himself on the padded window bench and watched his slumbering wife.
It was well past midnight when he finally was able to leave her. He was surprised to learn that his family and guard had not sought their beds, instead, they waited anxiously for him in the hall. The loyalty they displayed for Ella filled him with pride and gave him the support he had not known he needed.
Over the next hour, food and ale were as abundant as the voiced opinions of how to care and seek retribution for Ella. When Gavin finally retired for the evening, he had an intense yearning to go to his wife and remain close-at-hand if she needed him.
He found her small body curled in the middle of the large bed, looking so young and vulnerable. Quietly, he stoked the fire, and then made himself comfortable in the well-cushioned chair in front of the hearth. Sometime later he felt his mother cover him with a plaid, then saw her go over to Ella and place a kiss upon her brow.
After his mother left, his concern for the grief-stricken woman in the bed made it impossible to find sleep. When Ella began to whimper softly, he slipped in beside her and cloaked her with his warmth and love. Blessedly, she did not wake or even stir.