Highland Queen

by Melanie Karsak

  Soon, the River Lochy came into view.

  “Tor Castle sits on a hill above the river. Look there,” Banquo said, pointing in the distance.

  Following his gesture, I spotted a castle tower looming high above the trees not far from the water.

  I smiled at Banquo. While he had always been a part of my life, I had not been privy to this part of his world. I remembered him telling me that his father had been a cruel man. When I was married to Gillacoemgain, his father had passed, his mother died while I had been at Ynes Verleath. Banquo had lived the life of a druid, a wanderer. As chief of Macbeth’s generals and loyal to Thorfinn, he’d spent most of his time in the field and little time in his ancestral halls. Now, however, he had a reason to go home.

  The wagon slipped through the castle gate. The tall castle had high walls, the inner yard safely hidden behind the stone. Banquo dismounted and began directing his servants. Morag, who’d been riding with me, slowly slipped out of the wagon.

  “Come along, Lady Gruoch. Let’s see what the thane has prepared for you and how much I have to fix to make it right.”

  Banquo grinned. “Morag, I did my best. I swear. But I will leave Gruoch in your capable hands while I see the men settled in and attend to affairs.”

  I gave Banquo’s hand a squeeze. Turning, I caught Killian’s eye. I inclined my head toward the castle, letting him know I was going inside.

  He nodded to me.

  I followed Morag into the castle. I was surprised to find that the ceiling was very high. Stairs twisted up the wall to the second-floor balcony that overlooked the massive, open great room. There was an enormous hearth at one end of the room. Light shone in through the embrasures on the walls. A huge chandelier made of deer horn hung over the central open space.

  “Kitchens and meeting rooms on the first floor,” Morag said, gesturing to the hallways leading from the great hall. “On the second floor, some private rooms,” she added, pointing to the doors that looked over the balcony. “The hallway leads to chambers and the stairs to the third floor. It’s really a small place, once you get used to it.”

  “Morag?” a voice called.

  Morag and I turned to find an elderly gentleman crossing the room toward us. He was a slight thing who looked like he could be blown over in a sharp breeze. He had wispy white hair on his head. He was dressed in the tartan of Lochaber.

  “Lewis,” Morag said warmly. Surprisingly, very warmly.

  “What a welcome return this is. And is this Her Majesty?”

  “Yes, this is Lady Gruoch.”

  “So very, very pleased to meet you,” the man said, bowing to me. I reached out to stop him, afraid he might not be able to righten himself if he bowed too low.

  “Lewis, where has the thane asked for Lady Gruoch to be lodged?”

  The man shifted. “He’s taken the chambers in the southern end of the castle. He…his lodgings—and hers—are there. Though I’ve also readied an adjoining room,” the man said, flicking an eye at me.

  “Don’t worry, Lady Gruoch,” Morag said, taking my arm. “You are in Lochaber. Not a soul in this castle will speak a word about anything they see here.”

  “No, Your Majesty, we certainly will not,” Lewis agreed.

  “We are all loyal to this house. Lewis has been here longer than me. But don’t let our old bones worry you. There are plenty of young, strapping boys and girls about to get things done. And, of course, your Moray men. She has her own guard,” Morag told Lewis.

  “Oh! Very good. I will make arrangements for their comfort.”

  “Thank you,” I told the man.

  “Come along, my lady,” Morag said, leading me upstairs. “Now, there is one thing you must know about Tor Castle.”

  “What is that?”

  “Despite all our love and loyalty, we have the worst cooks in the realm.”

  “All things considered, that is terrible news,” I said, my hand resting on my stomach. I laughed.

  Morag laughed. “Don’t worry, Lady Gruoch. Don’t worry. I’ll look after you as best I can. And I’ll send for my niece to help me.”

  “You have a niece?”

  She nodded. “Smart girl. She always wanted to come to the castle. She’ll help me look after you since Rhona and Tira were too lazy to come this far.”

  “I think they missed their families.”

  “They are lady’s maids, and their lady is with child. Well, no matter. Come along. I’ll have you settled in no time.”

  Morag led me upstairs to the second floor. We followed a narrow hallway which led to yet another set of steps to the third floor.

  “This is the family wing. The southern end has the best view of the river,” Morag told me.

  She led me to a chamber at the end of the hall. She pushed open a wide door to reveal a beautifully bedecked room.

  “Well, look at that,” she said, her hands on her hips. “It’s all new.”

  “All new?”

  “The bed, the linens, the rugs, the tapestries. This was the old thane’s chamber. Banquo closed it. But look at this place, like life has been breathed in once more,” she said then chuckled. “My thane is acting like a newly married man.”

  Stepping inside, I turned around to look at the room. Red and blue silk drapes covered the bed. The room was made of fine furnishings, the tapestries on the walls depicting forest and farm scenes.

  “Lovely,” I said, turning about.

  “Why don’t you take a little rest, my lady? I doubt they expected you to be such a worker. I’ll see to it that you have a conference chamber ready,” Morag said then left me alone.

  I went to the window. The room had a good view of the river. I could see the mountains and fields all around. Lochaber was beautiful. Wind blew in the open casement, carrying with it a warm summer breeze. I closed my eyes and let the wind caress my cheek.

  “Well, my little one, what do you think of this place?” I whispered, setting my hand on my stomach.

  The baby moved and kicked.

  I laughed. “I agree.”

  I left the chamber and explored the other rooms in the hallway. Beside our bedchamber, another room had been prepared. There were other chambers all along the hall, many of them recently refreshed. At the other end of the hallway, however, I found a second large bedchamber. This one looked out on the forest. The place had not been used of late, but I noticed there were ladies’ things—a spinning wheel, dresses, and a tray with a comb and mirror sitting at the bedside. I looked at the small ladies’ items, spotting a familiar comb amongst them. The adornment was made of ivory, a merwoman carved on it. It was Merna’s. This must have been the room she and Banquo had once shared.

  I glanced around the room.

  I didn’t feel Merna’s presence there, but all the same, I felt like I was intruding. I exited the space. Retracing my steps, I found the stairs leading to the second floor. I worked my way down the hall, looking here and there, familiarizing myself with the castle. Morag was right. It was a small citadel, but it was warm and cheerful.

  I had just arrived on the balcony overlooking the second floor when Banquo entered.

  In that single moment, my breath caught in my throat. If we had gotten married from the start, would I have been lady here? How many times would I have come to this balcony to welcome my husband? Lochaber, rather than Moray, would have become my home. It was a beautiful country with tall mountains, dense forests, and lochs.

  I smiled at Banquo.

  He returned the gesture. His expression told me he shared my thoughts.

  Maybe everything had been delayed.

  Maybe a life with Banquo had seemed impossible.

  But here I was.

  At last.

  At last.

  Banquo.

  Chapter 32

  Summer passed peacefully, and soon, autumn came to Lochaber. The forest vista outside Tor Castle changed to ruby red, burnt orange, and vibrant yellow. The landscape was lovely, and I felt very much at hom
e there. While Lochaber proved quiet, my work continued to be challenging. I’d finally received correspondence from the Irish king. He was willing to negotiate a release of Donaldbane, provided I came to talk in person. While I knew there were risks involved, I agreed. Being Emir’s daughter, I wanted to see my mother’s lands and maybe even meet my own flesh and blood. I promised the Irish king I would come in the spring.

  I wasn’t surprised to see Banquo was a caring and thoughtful thane. Much like Gillacoemgain, he rode out to ensure his people’s harvests were coming along well. Many of the local families fished the lochs and rivers, Banquo often joining them for a day trip onto the water. Since arriving, I had eaten more fish than I had my entire life—most of which was terribly seasoned and often burnt, but Aelith never complained. In fact, I’d grown very round and fat-cheeked. When I was pregnant with Lulach and Crearwy, I often felt ill and tired. Aelith was proving to be considerably kinder to her mother.

  I was resting in our chamber when Banquo returned home early one evening. He was tapping a scroll in his hand, a pensive look on his face.

  “What is it?” I asked, setting down the letter I was writing.

  “From Macbeth. He’s making some plans and would like me to come to Dunsinane in the spring.”

  “What kind of plans?”

  Banquo shook his head. “I don’t know, but he says he could use the help of his most trusted general.”

  “I don’t like the sound of that. He has said nothing to me.”

  Banquo nodded. “That’s what worried me as well.”

  We were not yet sure if Macbeth had learned that I was in Lochaber. Thus far, his letters to me had been delivered to Cawdor—Standish sending them along to me on a weekly basis. It was only a matter of time before someone said something. Yet Madelaine assured me all seemed well. Macbeth stayed busy moving the court to Dunsinane, which was nearly ready. And she applauded Macbeth’s tact in dealing with the southern lords. Part of me wondered if Macbeth’s invitation to Banquo was nothing more than bait.

  “I do have other news, good news,” Banquo said with a smile. “Our sons are coming home.”

  “You’ve had word from Balor?”

  Banquo nodded. “He sent a casting.”

  “Thank the gods.”

  “I knew you would be happy. And, my Cerridwen, there is a fresh delivery of honey in the kitchens. Morag promised me she’d make something special for you and my little one,” he said then got down on his knees before me. Wrapping his hands around my waist, Banquo pressed his cheek against my stomach. “How are you, my wee babe?”

  “Rolling and kicking,” I replied.

  Banquo laughed then kissed my stomach. “We cannot wait to meet you. Will you look like your mother or me?”

  “Or both.”

  Banquo gazed up me, a look of love on his face. But I also saw the lines around his mouth tremble.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “It’s just…it should have always been like this.”

  “Yes. You’re right. But in spite of it all, we have won this moment,” I said, taking his hand in mine.

  Banquo nodded then embraced me again. “How true. How very true. Don’t tell her I said so, but your mother is the wisest woman I’ve ever known,” Banquo whispered to my stomach.

  “Is that so? There are none wiser?” I asked playfully.

  “Well, there is Sid. She’s wise in her own way.”

  I chuckled. “That makes me wonder what she’s said to you when I wasn’t around.”

  Banquo laughed. “You wouldn’t believe your ears.”

  “I can only imagine.”

  A month later, a horn sounded as riders approached the castle. I had been sitting in the great hall by the fire, trying to warm my perpetually cold feet when I heard the noise. I set down the letter I was reading.

  All at once, I was overcome with thoughts of Lulach.

  “Lulach,” I whispered then rose. Grabbing a fur, I rushed outside.

  Balor, Calean, Beric, and raven-tattooed Diarmad arrived, Fleance and Lulach along with them. My heart skipped a beat when I set eyes on my child, a deep feeling of relief washing over me. I looked then to Fleance whose eyes were fixed on me. He smiled.

  Swift hoofbeats raced toward the castle. Banquo rode into the yard behind them.

  Tears welled in my eyes, a deep sense of relief washing over me.

  Killian appeared from within the castle. He eyed the party.

  “Is that the mormaer?” he asked, his voice full of surprise. He stared at Lulach who was smiling at me.

  “Yes.” I grinned when I realized that two dogs also traveled with the party, a white dog with red ears, and a massive black brute who looked just like his dame.

  “Who are those men?” Killian asked.

  “Druids,” I replied.

  Killian shook his head. “Lady Gruoch and her secrets.”

  I winked at him then went to Balor.

  “Fair greetings, Father,” I called. I took the reins of Balor’s horse.

  Smiling, Balor dismounted. He bowed to me. “Your Majesty.”

  I took his hands, kissing them both. “You are welcome in Lochaber.”

  “We are pleased to find you here, my lady,” he said then eyed me over. Smiling, he set his hands on my stomach. “A girl.”

  I nodded.

  “May the Goddess bless her and keep her from harm,” he said then turned to Banquo, leaving me to wonder about the druid’s words. Surely, he meant nothing ominous by them. A blessing was a blessing. Leaving a mother’s worries behind, I inclined my head to my druid brothers who returned the gesture then made my way to Lulach and Fleance.

  “Mother,” Lulach called, passing off the reins of his horse to a groom.

  Only a year had passed, but I could already see that Lulach had changed. He was at least a hand taller, and his baby-soft features had started to lose their roundness, his chin taking on the same square shape of Gillacoemgain’s features. How much like Gillacoemgain he looked.

  “Son,” I said, pulling him into an embrace.

  “Mother, how big you are.”

  “Very soon, you will have a sister.”

  “Another sister,” Lulach corrected. I caught an edge on his voice that surprised me.

  “Yes, another sister.”

  Lulach smiled at me. “We’ve just come from visiting Epona. They all send their greetings, and Crearwy sends her love.”

  Ah. So, they had been together again. I was dying to know what conversations had transpired between Lulach and Crearwy, but Lulach’s correction told me he and his sister had bonded, for better or worse. In the end, what more could I ask for?

  “Corbie,” Fleance called, coming to greet me. Thor, his dog, followed along behind him.

  Fleance, a few years older than Lulach, had taken a leap into manhood in the year that had passed. He was taller, his voice deeper. He looked much like his father.

  I embraced him.

  “How do you like Tor Castle?” Fleance asked.

  “You have a fine home,” I said.

  Fleance eyed my belly. “Corbie?”

  “You and Lulach will soon share a sister,” I said, measuring my words carefully.

  Fleance looked at Lulach, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. “We will truly be brothers then.”

  I touched Fleance’s cheek then smoothed his hair. “Come, let’s go inside.”

  “We’ll see to the horses,” Mackintosh, Banquo’s sentinel, told me.

  I motioned to Killian, encouraging him to come along.

  Banquo draped his arm over Fleance’s shoulder. “Son,” he said, smiling at his boy. “And the Mormaer of Moray. It is good to see you again, Lulach,” Banquo told him.

  “And you, Thane,” he said, an awkward smile on his lips.

  Lulach slipped his hand into mine. He lifted our joined hands and looked at the gloves, studying them carefully.

  “Are your hands cold, Mother?”

  “No,” I repli
ed.

  Lulach raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.

  Banquo and Fleance joined Balor and led the druids into the great hall.

  “Lulach,” I said, pausing to wait for Killian. “Lulach, I want you to meet Sir Killian. He is a loyal man of Moray and my guard.”

  “Sir,” Lulach said, inclining his head to Killian.

  “My Mormaer, I am pleased to see you again.”

  Lulach smiled.

  “Killian’s father and brother served Gillacoemgain—and they were lost alongside your father at the very end,” I told Lulach.

  Killian looked at me, an expression of surprise on his face.

  Lulach turned to Killian. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, my lord,” Killian said.

  Lulach set his hand on Killian’s arm. “Then tonight, we shall toast them together.”

  I swallowed hard, feeling proud of my son. He nodded to Killian then went to join the druids.

  “Lady Gruoch,” Killian whispered.

  When I met his gaze, I saw his eyes were wet with unshed tears. I patted his arm gently then went to join the others.

  The servants worked quickly, passing out mulled wines and honey mead to our guests. I caught the sweet scents of freshly baked bread and roasting meat. My stomach growled hungrily. I sat beside Lulach, listening as the druids spoke about their travels. Soon after, the servants called us to feast. I was relieved. Aelith had been rolling and kicking since I’d caught the first whiff of food. I took my seat at the head of the table, Banquo at one side, Balor on the other. It seemed strange to take precedence over Banquo in his own castle. In Lochaber, it was easy to forget I was Queen of Scotland.

  As we ate, Banquo fell into conversation with Fleance and the other druids. My attention turned to Balor.

  “I understand you’ve come from Epona,” I told him. “How is she?”