by Paula Mabbel
“We need to hurry back.” Abi said as she realized that the camp would already be awake by now.
“Just show me the way.” Gregory said with a smile and a small bow.
Abi nodded curtly and turned in the direction of the camp and started to walk. “Do you think that you will be enough to lead us into victory?” She asked him, as they walked over the long fields that stood between them and the campsite.
“I know that for you, bonnie lass, I will try.” He said with a warm smile, which reassured Abi’s heart that she was doing the right thing.
*******
Abi and Gregory walked for some time in silence. Abi was unsure about how she should break it. She didn’t want to seem intrusive, but all her mind was offering her were questions. She stopped when she realized that Gregory had a few footsteps behind her and she turned to look at him.
“Is everything alright?” She asked him as she took in his worried expression.
“I’m sure everything is fine.” He said with a stiff nod. “I sense people are close though.” He said as his eyes scanned the horizon.
“How can you be sure?” She asked him quietly.
“I just know these things.” He said and then he turned his head quickly behind them and looked into a gathering of trees. “I’ll be right back.” He said and then he walked over to the trees slowly and disappeared among them.
Abi stood watching for a moment, before she turned her attention back to the horizon. She frowned as she noticed something moving along it. It looked as though it was getting closer to her and she watched it with curiosity. It wasn’t long until she realized that it was two men who were walking across the fields towards her. She thought about calling out for Gregory, who still hadn’t appeared from the trees, but there were only two of them and she was sure that she could handle the situation.
She took a deep breath as they got closer and then she called out into the space between them. “What are ya doing here?” She said with a steady voice.
“Are you Abi?” The one with dark hair asked.
“Aye.” She said with a curt nod. “What is it to you?”
“We heard that you were trying to free the broken warrior.” The dark haired one spoke again. “We can offer you and your clan immunity from the battle if you hand him over to us.” He said with a serious look on his face.
“What will ya do with him once you have him?” Abi asked him with suspicion.
“That’s not your worry, lass.” The dark haired one said quickly.
“I think you’ll find it is.” Abi said defiantly.
“What does it matter to you? Your clan will be safe.” The dark haired one said with steady face, but Abi could see the layers of frustration working their up to the surface.
“You know what? I could have saved my clan by marrying a man I didn’t love, but I didn’t. If I wasn’t willing to give away my freedom what makes you suppose that I’ll give up his?” Abi said with a sneer.
“You’ll regret it if you don’t.” The dark haired one warned her.
“Aye, and I’ll regret it if I do. So, I guess I’m not winning that battle any time soon.” She said with a casual shrug.
A rustle of leaves sounded from beyond where her eyes could see and she flicked them over to find the source. It was Gregory working his way out of the trees. “Ya heard the lass.” He said in a deep, booming voice that seemed to fill all the stillness around them. “Now get gone.” He said firmly.
The two men looked nervously at each other and then started to walk quickly back in the direction from, which they had come. Abi waited until they were out of earshot, before she spoke. “They wanted me to hand you over.” She said, as her eyes darted between their fading figures and Gregory.
“I know.” He said.
“How?” She asked him.
“I heard everything.” He said simply. “I was going to come out and protect you, but then I heard their offer and I needed to know what you chose to do. I needed to know whether I could trust you.” He said and his eyes burned intensely.
“And can you?” She asked him.
“Aye.” He said with a quick nod.
“I’m glad.” Abi said as the left corner of her mouth lifted up into a smile.
They didn’t have much distance to travel back to the camp, but Abi picked up her pace even still. The morning had stretched on and she knew that her father would be growing worried about her absence. She forced her legs to move quicker, as she dashed ahead of Gregory.
“What’s the hurry?” He asked her as he widened his stride to keep up with her.
“My father will be worrying about where I am.” Abi said as she stood on the top of one of the peaks and looked down at the small plume of smoke that was coming from the fire at her campsite. “It’s just over there.” She said pointing to the smoke.
“I see it.” He said with a nod. “You have a good sized clan.” He said with an approving look.
“We do.” Abi said. “It’s just a shame that this war is bigger.” She said in a hushed voice. “Come on, we need to get down there.” She finished as she started to make her way down to the settlement. She could feel her feet moving quickly beneath her as they tried to keep up with how fast she really wanted to go.
She came to a stop just around the back of her tent and she waited for Gregory to catch up. She peered around the corner and saw that a wedding arch had already been built and was standing close to the fire. She scowled at it, before turning back to see whether Gregory had made it to her yet. “We need to speak to my father.” She said quietly, as she gestured for Gregory to follow her.
“Do you think he will listen?” Gregory asked as he followed her direction.
“I hope so.” She said wistfully as she came to a stop behind her father’s tent.
******
Abi made her way around the tent and opened up the doors slowly. “Father?” She called out.
“Abi, where have you been?” Her father said with a voice full of relief.
“I went on a quest to save our clan.” Abi said as she walked into the tent and gestured for Gregory to do the same. She could hear his quiet footsteps push against the damp earth beneath his feet, but she didn’t turn to look at him.
“I’m going to need you to explain this to me.” Her father said with eyes full of confusion. He looked at Gregory and then back to Abi, as he waited for one of an explanation.
“Have you heard about the legend of the broken warrior?” Abi asked him hopefully. She didn’t want to have to waste any time explaining the story to him.
“I have.” Her father nodded quickly.
“Well, I found him.” Abi said and then she glanced at Gregory and smiled. “And he has agreed to help our clan in the coming battle.” She said as she turned her gaze back to her father.
“You can’t have.” He said and shook his head. “He’s just a legend.”
“All stories start from something real.” Abi said.
Her father frowned and looked at Gregory. “Is this true?” He asked.
“Aye.” Gregory said with a quick nod. “Except I’ll only fight under one condition.” He added.
Abi turned to him with a frown on her face. He had never mentioned any conditions to her and she couldn’t help but bite her lip in anxiety as she waited for him to explain.
“What is this condition?” Her father asked Gregory curiously.
“Ya don’t make this here lass marry someone she don’t want to.” He said as he gestured to Abi. “I will fight with your clan and we will win, but only if you allow her to follow her heart.”
“Can you assure me that you are enough to enable our clan to win?” Her father asked him with a look of disbelief on his face.
“Aye, I never lost a man until my final battle.” Gregory replied.
Abi noticed the same flinch of pain on his face, as the old memories resurfaced in his mind. She felt a sudden urge to reach out and stroke his face. She wanted to mend what had been broken
inside of him. She wanted to make him feel better and whole again, but she kept her hands by her side.
“Then your condition will be met.” Her father said with a curt nod. He looked at Abi. “You better be right about him.” He said and then he smiled warmly. “I knew you hadn’t abandoned us.” He added.
“I would never abandon my people.” Abi said fiercely.
“We need to tell Alistair about the change in arrangements.” Her father said after a moment of thought. “I’ll go out and fetch him, you two wait here.” He said and then he quickly headed out of the tent.
“You sounded sure that you can win.” Abi said after her father had walked out.
“That’s because I am.” Gregory said with a warm smile.
“But how can you be so sure?” She asked him. There was more to the question, but she was unsure about how to ask without upsetting him.
“Do you mean because my heart is still broken?” Gregory asked with a faint. “You don’t need to worry about watching your words around me lass. I’m stronger than you think.”
“Well, I guess so, yes. I mean you lost your last battle because of it. How can you be so sure that you will win this one?” She asked with her eyes fixed onto his.
“My last battle was lost because I had nothing to fight for.” Gregory explained. “That is not the case today.”
Abi wondered what he was referring to, but she didn’t ask him. Before she had a chance to speak footsteps from behind the tent curtain filled the silence and she realized that her father was back. She turned to face the doorway and watched as he and Alistair walked into the tent.
“So, as you can see, we will not need to unite with your clan.” Her father said, as he gestured towards Gregory.
“Do you think that he alone is enough to secure your victory?” Alistair spat venomously.
“My daughter believes it and so do I.” Her father said with a simple, almost smug smile on his face.
“I’m giving you one last chance to reconsider.” Alistair warned and his eyes flashed with anger. “Your clan needs us. Your daughter needs me if she is ever going to lead your clan. Do you think they follow her without a husband? Do you think that I won’t be the first attacker on her doorstep ready to slit her throat? This is your last chance, what will it be?” He finished.
“I think I’m going to stick with my choice.” Abi’s father said cheerfully, but he had stern eyes that burned fiercely with warning. “My daughter would be better of marrying a blacksmith than the likes of you.” He added, before he shooed Alistair back out of the tent.
“I’m sorry that you had to hear that.” Abi’s father said when he was sure that Alistair was gone.
“Thank you for putting your faith in my father.” Abi said quickly and she walked over to him and threw her arms around his neck.
“You have no reason to thank me.” Her dad said with a simple shake of his head. “You are my daughter and I have ever faith in you always.”
“We’re going to win this.” Abi whispered into her dad’s ear and then she dropped her arms to her side and stepped back away from him.
“I have no doubts.” Her father said as his eyes glanced back over to Gregory, who was standing silent and watching the scene play out in front of him.
******
The night before the great battle had come and you could taste the nerves in the air. All of the clan had gathered around the fire to share in their last meal, before the dawn came, but it was strangely quiet as they all sat and ate. Abi knew what must be on their minds. She knew that in each of their head’s they were probably sitting at home with their families surrounding them. She carried the heavy weight of guilt around with her because she had her father close by and apathy for those who were missing home.
She had spent the last few days in the company of Gregory. He had offered to train her with a sword and she had gratefully accepted his offer. She had always been able to hold her own in a sword fight, which was why her father had never had any doubt that she would be able to protect his clan, but that didn’t mean that she would pass up on an opportunity to get better, or for that matter an opportunity to spend more with Gregory.
They had grown close in their time together. Abi had found her thoughts wandering to him whenever they were free of worry. She could feel the smile that tugged at her lips whenever she glanced over and caught him looking at her. She could feel herself falling in love with him and she knew that if she was ever going to tell him then it had to be that night. It had to be before it was too late and she could never hear what he had to say back.
She stood up as she realized that she had to do it, before she backed out. She walked over to him with unsteady nerves and an anxious smile. “Could we talk for a minute?” She asked quietly, so that the other men wouldn’t notice their conversation.
“Of course.” Gregory said with curious eyes.
“In private, I mean?” Abi said as she glanced at the men who were sitting to either side of him.
“Sure.” Gregory nodded and he stood up.
They both walked over to his tent and he pulled open the door, so that Abi could enter. She walked through the flap and into the well-lit tent. “Have you been comfortable?” She asked him, so that she could break the silence without jumping right into the deep end.
“Aye.” Gregory said and he met her eyes with his own. “I’m sure ya didn’t ask me in here to inquire about my comfort, though.” He said with a warm smile.
“You’re right.” Abi said with a small nod. She could hear her voice playing back in her own ears and it sounded braver than she really felt. “I wanted to tell you something.” She added.
“So, are ya going to tell me?” Gregory asked as he laughed.
“I suppose I should.” Abi said and then she waited for the words to come, but they didn’t and silence hung between them.
“You don’t have to be afraid, you know. You can tell me anything and I won’t judge ya.” Gregory said in a reassuring voice.
“I hope not.” Abi said a little distantly. “So, the thing is, we’ve spent all this time together.” She started. “And you know, I’ve got to know you.” She went on.
“Aye, and I’ve got to know you.” Gregory said with a smile on his lips.
“I think I’m in love with you.” Abi blurted out quickly because she just didn’t know how else to say it.
“Is that so?” Gregory asked her and his eyes burned into hers.
“Aye.” Abi said and she nodded her head nervously.
Gregory didn’t say anything. He just walked up to Abi, so that their bodies were pressed against each other’s. He lifted his hand slowly up to her chin and brought her eyes up to meet his. She could feel the heat of his breath bounce off her cheek, as he brought his lips down to hers.
His kiss collided with her mouth. She could feel every tiny movement of his lip, as they brushed over hers softly and then deeply. She kissed him back with everything she had. She could feel her heart beating hard against her chest, as his hands dropped down to her waist and felt their way around to the small of her back. He pulled her closer to him, so their bodies were pushing against each other’s.
Abi could feel the heavy beat of Gregory’s heart, as he lowered his lips from hers and brought them down in a soft path of kisses down her throat and to her heaving chest. His lips didn’t stop, as he brushed them against her soft skin and sent shivers down her spine. She watched him, as he moved his hands slowly from the small of her back and down to the hem of her dress.
She could feel the material dancing with his fingers, as his hands settled underneath the fabric and traced lines up her legs. She could feel herself heating up, as his hand stopped right at the top of her leg and she waited with baited breath for him to continue. She caught his eyes and saw the same passion burning in them that she was sure was in her own. She took pulled him up quickly and led him over to the small haystack that had been turned into a bed.
She didn’t want his hands. She
wanted him. She wanted all of him. She wanted to give him the one thing that she could never take back. She sat the edge of the bed and gestured for him to move forward. She let her fingers play with the waistline of his kilt and then she dipped her fingers below and enjoyed feeling his body tense up with pleasure.
She opened her legs and dropped her hands. She let her eyes meet his and she told him without speaking what she wanted. She could tell from the way that his chest moved in jagged motions that he understood her message and she waited for him to give her everything she had ever wanted.
******
Abi opened her eyes and shifted slightly. She could feel the heat from Gregory rolling off of him and onto her and she smiled. She tilted her head slightly, so that she could see his peaceful face and she thought back to the night before and the time they had spent together. She could still feel a sore aching between her legs, but she knew it had been worth it. She had known the moment that she had laid eyes on him that she had loved him completely, it had just taken her a little while to accept.
“You should be sleeping.” Gregory’s tired voice said before his eyes opened.
“I should be enjoying my moments with you, before you must leave for the battle.” Abi said sternly.
“You will have many more when the day is over.” Gregory said to her with a reassuring voice.
“I hope that will be true.” She said, but she couldn’t allow herself to believe it completely. She couldn’t tempt the fates to work against Gregory or her clan today. She needed to stay level headed and accept that whatever the outcome, it was meant to be.
She watched as Gregory sat up and stretched off the sleep from his body. Her eyes found themselves glued to his arms as he flexed his muscles and then brought them back down to his side. He pushed back the scratchy cover and pulled his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. “I have no doubt that the clan will be leaving soon.” He said as he looked up at the ceiling of the tent and noticed that the light was already starting to seep through it. “There is something I must ask you, before I leave though.” He said and then he walked over to Abi’s side of the bed and knelt down, so that they were at the same level. “I want you to know that this is a request.” He added nervously.