Duty And Passion In The Highlands: A Scottish Medieval Historical Highlander Collection

by Adamina Young

  “You are still her mother and you must talk sense into her. I have provided you shelter, and it is in your best interests for her to marry me. Do you think any man worth his salt will take her as his wife knowing full well that she has been taken and tainted by Highland brutes? I understand, of course, being an old family friend, but others might not. I dread to think of how you might suffer out there in the world without a roof over your head, always hoping that some kind stranger might take pity on you.”

  Myra looked scared but then, in an instant, fire burst into her eyes and she glared at him.

  “I have been holding my tongue all this time Alan, but I can hold it no longer. I know about this place. I know that it was given to Robin and that by rights it falls to Ellen and the man she marries. That is the only reason why you’re so desperate to take her hand in marriage, and why you’re so scared now that she’s threatening to turn you away. I don’t know why you thought you had to lie about this. What’s really going on Alan? What else have you been hiding from us?”

  Alan’s eyes widened to reveal the red rivers that swam around them. His nostrils flared and his cheeks reddened. He was a master tactician and yet all his plans seemed to be crumbling around him, all undone by these nefarious women. What a plague they were, but he was not about to be defeated yet. He closed the distance between him and Myra in long, loping strides, and gripped the back of her chair, making her gasp. He lowered his voice to an intimidating growl.

  “If Ellen doesn’t marry me I will kill you both. Either way, this estate will be mine. As long as you do what I say I will ensure that there is always a roof over your head and that no harm will come to you. You have no power here Myra. There is no man to protect you, nobody except me. So do as I ask. Keep Ellen here and convince her that it is in her best interests to marry me, otherwise you will seal your own doom and you can be reunited with Robin.”

  Her face was lined with terror and Alan was confident that he had made his point.

  Myra watched Alan leave. It took her heart a little while to stop beating frantically. Ever since the truth had been revealed to her she had kept her mouth shut, fearful of what Alan might do should she expose him, but now that Ellen had returned Myra was emboldened to speak the truth, especially after hearing that Ellen didn’t want to marry Alan. The man wasn’t as kind as he had seemed. His nature was cruel and brittle, and he seemed eager to threaten them. Myra hated every moment of being around him and she did not want to put her child in that position, but what could she do if Alan would kill them? It was better for them to live in misery than to die. She wasn’t ready to be reunited with Robin just yet.

  Not long after Alan had left, Ellen came into the room. Mother and daughter had a proper reunion where they could share in the affection they had for one another.

  “I’m so sorry for not returning sooner. I thought you were dead. I thought there was nothing left for me here,” Ellen said.

  “You mean to say that you chose to stay with them?” Myra gasped.

  “Yes I did. They’re not like you think. They’re kind, compassionate, you might even say charming.” Ellen smiled sweetly and Myra was confused. The look in Ellen’s eyes was something familiar to Myra, but she couldn’t believe that it was true. She couldn’t believe that her daughter had fallen in love with a Highlander. “I only came back because I heard that you were alive. I had to come back for you. But I can’t stay. I know that now. I can’t marry him, Mother. I know that it was Father’s last wish and you may think I am dishonoring his memory by turning away, but I cannot bring myself to live a life with Alan. He is not the man I thought he was. Let us leave and find happiness elsewhere. We don’t have to be beholden to him.”

  “Yes, we do,” Myra said in a soft voice. It broke her heart because Ellen was so filled with hope and courage. Myra had to dash those emotions quickly. “We can’t go anywhere else Ellen. The world is not kind for people like us. We have shelter here. Alan will look after us, and you’re right; it was your father’s last wish,” she said desperately, hiding the truth that if they left, Alan would kill them.

  “But that’s what I’m saying Mother, we don’t have to stay here. We can take care of ourselves and I know a place where we might be safe.”

  “If you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting then no.” Myra shook her head firmly. “I will not live in the Highlands. I am older than you Ellen. I do not have the same courage or will to survive. I can’t travel through some forest and live in an encampment. I need a roof over my head and four solid walls. I have become accustomed to a certain way of life, as have you. It will not be so bad with Alan, I promise you this. We will be safe, and we will be together.” Myra clasped her daughter’s hands. Tears rimmed her eyes and Ellen nodded, although she looked disappointed and her shoulders slumped, as though the wind had been taken out of her sails.

  They spent a little more time together before they went for dinner. Ellen humbly agreed to be betrothed to Alan, which made him happy. He clapped his hands together and drank a lot of wine, declaring that all his plans were coming together. Myra felt a stabbing pain in her heart, fearing that she had betrayed her daughter in a deep way. Better that than being killed though. She had observed Alan carefully during her stay in this estate and she had witnessed how cruel and demanding he was to his servants. She had little doubt in her mind that he would carry out his threat. Betraying her daughter seemed to be a small price to pay for their lives, and she hoped that one day Ellen would understand.

  10

  Ellen wore a light green dress that reflected her love of nature, and was also a small tribute to Duncan. The morning arrived and she hurried downstairs as Alan was waiting for her. He was dressed in splendor and looked dashing in his tunic, but his eyes were cold and grey and there was no humor in his face at all. This was all just a statement for him to make to ensure that he was taking the hand of Ellen in a betrothal.

  He had called in an official from the nearby town to perform the ceremony. They pledged themselves to each other and that they would carry out the wedding vows. Their hands were bound in ribbon and tied together. Her small, delicate fingers disappeared under the weight of his huge paw and Ellen shuddered through the whole thing. It took all her willpower to stop herself from crying. Myra had been adamant that this was the right decision, but Ellen was convinced otherwise. Alan was not the man she wanted, and she couldn’t believe that Robin had agreed to this either.

  Once the ceremony was completed Alan harrumphed in triumph and appreciated the plaudits given to him by those in attendance. Ellen had a stony look on her face, vacant, numb, and expressionless. To anyone who asked, Alan explained it away as the lingering effects of her trauma at being captured by the Highlanders, for he did not want to humor the truth.

  “Now that we are betrothed there is no turning back. We have delayed for too long already. I plan to decimate the Highlanders in this battle and ensure that they do not delay our future any longer. As soon as I return, victorious, we shall be married and share in the glory of each other. Our future begins now Ellen, and what a wonderful thing it shall be.” He stroked her cheek and smiled at her, while she winced and wished that she had never returned.

  Seeing him leave for battle gave her an entirely different set of emotions than when she had watched Duncan leave. Then, she had been worried and anxious. Now, she found herself hoping that Alan would never return. She felt awful for wishing such a thing on a man, and her father’s friend no less, but she saw it as the only way she might be able to escape the future that was creeping around her like a spider’s web.

  She also feared for Duncan. Ellen hadn’t shared any information about the location of their village with Alan, always playing dumb and claiming that the forest all looked the same to her. It didn’t take much for him to believe that she could be this unobservant and useless, so he didn’t question it. However, they had found a lead from another source and were taking a large force into Highland territory, claiming they were
fighting for a righteous cause. Ellen knew better though. It was just greed, plain and simple, and unlike Duncan, Alan didn’t seem to be reluctant to go to war. He seemed eager to indulge his base impulses and attack those who he thought deserved it. She prayed that Duncan would be spared a deadly arrow or a fatal thrust of the sword, and she dreaded what might happen if Alan managed to kill Duncan.

  Ellen busied herself with reading, trying to take her mind off things. She sat outside in an effort to enjoy nature, which helped her to feel connected with Duncan. She smelled the scent of the flowers and smiled as she heard birds chirp. Then, she heard something that sounded strange.

  “Psst!”

  It was a strange sound for an animal to make, so she glanced around with surprise, peering into the corners of the courtyard. Then she saw movement by a wall. There was a hollowed-out archway upon which vines grew. It was covered in shadows and offered a hiding place. There, she saw a miracle: Duncan. His red hair was stark against the stone backdrop and he beckoned to her. Ellen’s heart was light and she skipped over to him, glancing around in fear lest anyone should see him.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes dancing with starlight.

  “I thought I would take advantage of the battle and come tae see ye.” Duncan glanced around and put his hands on his hips. “I cannae say I like what he’s done with the place.”

  “Oh Duncan,” she gasped, and flung her arms around his broad shoulders. His hands fell to her waist and he squeezed her gently. The relief that washed over her was powerful. Just being in his arms again and feeling the effects of his presence provided her heart with happiness that couldn’t be bought with gold. She nestled her head against his chest and clung to him, fearing that if she let him go he might vanish and be gone from her life once more.

  “How did you even make your way here? It’s so dangerous with all the English around.”

  Duncan shrugged. “I know the land better than them. All I had tae dae was wait for them tae rush away tae battle, then I could walk in without any trouble at all.” His tone was light and carefree, but he turned more solemn as he kissed her forehead. “I hae been thinking about ye a lot.”

  “I have been thinking about you as well. Oh Duncan, I missed you so much.” She squeezed him more tightly.

  “How is ye ma?”

  “She’s very well, thank you. It was a great relief to see her again, but I just wish I did not have to be stuck here. Now that I have returned I realize how much of my life I do not like. I wish it was as easy as running away to be with you.”

  “It still could be,” Duncan said. Could Ellen dare to dream that this was even possible?

  “But the battle, the war, it’s never going to be over.”

  “It might be, Ellen. Ye never know. And I would rather fight a war knowing that I had ye tae come back tae than what my life is like now.”

  Ellen turned away. Tears were in her eyes and her throat was raw and aching. “They’re coming for you Duncan. I promise that I never gave them any information about where you live, but they’re coming. They’re going to wreak havoc on your village and there’s not anything that you can do about it.”

  “I thought they might lass. When they came so close last time I knew that something had tae change. We’ve moved everyone intae an old fortress nearby. Its doors are rotten and the hinges are rusted. It’s dark and damp and cold, and rats hae been living there for a time, but its walls are thick and when the fires are lit it’s nae sae bad. We can defend ourselves, and we’ll make a final stand against the English. I’d love it if ye were there.” He clutched her hands tightly. “I’ve missed ye.”

  “I’ve missed you too,” Ellen said. Emotions poured out from her heart. She could barely believe that he was standing before her, and now she couldn’t bear to let him go again. It was hard enough the first time. He had come back to her, putting himself in danger, all for her. She knew Alan would never have done such a thing. Few men would. But as thrilling as it was to see him again she knew he had to move, for he was in danger.

  “Stop right there and step away from the lady!” a guard said. Alan had left a few well-drilled men behind to look after his estate. Ellen groaned inwardly. He had his sword drawn. The point gleamed, and there was a rugged, dangerous look on his face. Duncan’s face fell.

  “I thought I heard the devilish words of a Highlander. Come on, I’ll take you to the dungeon and you can wait for the master to return. I’m sure he’ll be pleased to have someone to torture.”

  Duncan drew his sword and his face took on a grim countenance.

  “Duncan you should run. I’ll handle this,” Ellen said.

  “If I run they’ll chase me,” Duncan said. He pushed past Ellen and walked up to the guard. A lump appeared in Ellen’s throat. The men circled each other and tested their abilities with a few lazy thrusts towards each other. The guard growled, while Duncan remained calm. His entire body bristled with strength, but still Ellen feared that this could be his last day and that perfect, tough skin would be coated in crimson blood. Steel clashed and it sang with power. The metal gleamed as the swords caught the light, moving so fast they were a blur. The men came together as elegantly as in a dance, although there was a more brutal edge to it. Duncan snarled as he ducked away from one blow, spun around in a low circle, and let fly with his elbow to catch the guard on the head. The guard staggered back, and it was fortunate for him that he did as Duncan’s sword came around in a wide slash, and it narrowly missed the guard’s stomach.

  The guard shook the stupor from his mind and charged in, enraged. He rained down heavy blows on Duncan, who bore the brunt of them with his sword and moved back, step by heavy step. Ellen was sure that his sword would break in two, but the steel was as strong as the man and it took every blow without bending. Then, as the guard was fully in the rhythm of striking blows upon Duncan with wild abandon, Duncan shifted his feet and slipped away. The guard struck nothing but empty air and the force of his blow dragged him forward, off balance. Duncan whirled around and slammed his sword into the guard’s side, skewering him right up to the hilt. The guard twitched and jerked, and then slid off the sword, slumping to the ground. Duncan’s blade drowned in crimson. Ellen sighed with relief, but this feeling was only temporary as she heard the clatter of footsteps. The battle had drawn attention and more guards poured forward.

  Duncan couldn’t kill them all.

  He dropped his sword, knowing that capture was inevitable.

  “I’ll find a way to save you,” Ellen promised him. The great warrior, hero to the Highlanders, had been captured all because he had come to find her. Without him their cause was weakened and Alan would surely relish the thought of executing Duncan for crimes against England. Ellen was distraught as Duncan walked away, although by his inscrutable expression one wouldn’t have thought anything was wrong at all.

  11

  Ellen thought of the dagger against her calf, but knew it was useless. She did not know how to fight and did not know how to kill. There was no possibility of her taking on a group of mean and nasty guards. This was exactly what Ellen had been afraid of. There were things more important than their feelings for each other, and now she had to fix it. She had to get Duncan out of there, but she couldn’t do it alone. There was only one other person she could turn to.

  Myra.

  She raced to her mother and told her everything. The words poured out of her like a herd of stampeding antelope. She spoke quickly, telling her mother all about how Duncan had rescued her and treated her well, how he had even set her free, before Ellen had returned. She told Myra how she had fallen in love with Duncan and the Highlander’s way of life, and how they weren’t the villains here. They only wanted to live.

  She expected to have to spend some time convincing her mother, because Myra’s dislike of the Highlanders ran as deep as any normal Englishman’s, but instead Myra pursed her lips and had a thoughtful expression on her face.

  “A Highlander…” she
whispered.

  “He’s not evil, Mother. He’s honorable, strong, and kind. He’s the best man I have ever met and I know you think all Highlanders are villains, but if you met him you would see. Can you really believe that he is any less honorable than Alan?” she asked. A strange look came over Myra’s face. She walked over to a chair and rested upon it. “I need to help him because he helped me. He came all this way to see me.”

  “Do you think he would help you again?”

  “What do you mean?” Ellen asked, confused. Myra licked her lips and her brow furrowed as thoughts careened through her mind.

  “If we freed him, do you think he would protect you?”

  “Without a doubt,” Ellen answered immediately. “But what would he have to protect me from?”

  “There’s something I have not told you. Alan has…has lied to us.” Myra’s words were heavy with implication. Ellen’s eyes widened.

  “Lied about what?” she asked.

  “About this. This place is not his. It was your father’s bounty after the battle, and now it is rightfully yours. Alan came to our estate to pledge for your hand in marriage so he could have this place for himself. I don’t know why he would lie…but he’s determined to have this place. When you threatened to not marry him he came to me and he…he threatened both of us, saying that if you did not go through with the marriage he would kill us both. He said that we had nobody in the world to protect us or help us, but if this Duncan is as honorable as you say, well, I suppose I would be willing to put my trust in him, and in you.”