"Yes? I am listening."
"I have waited to speak with ye of this. I no ken how to begin."
She could tell by the slight change in his breathing that she had his attention. In silence he waited.
"Fayther, he has an illness."
Ailene felt the tensions in him increase, still he was silent. Ailene took a deep breath then went on.
"He was injured a few years ago. A head injury, ye ken? There are times he kens naught. He stands as a pillar and naught touches him until the spell passes."
Ailene kept her voice down not wanting her father to know she was confiding his secret to Gideon.
"Is there any way of knowing when this will happen?"
Gideon whispered back.
"Nay. It comes and then it gaes awa. It has no happened in a while. But I no think it has left him."
Ailene had reached for his hand, she was holding it tightly. Gideon reached out with his free hand, gripped her shoulder then turned her to face him.
"Head injuries are strange things Ailene. I have seen them cause men to do very odd things. Sometimes things right themselves and at times they do not."
She could not stop the tears that began to fall.
"I am sorry Gideon, ye will no be able to count on him in battle. I had to tell ye. I was not sure he could do so, ken?"
"Hush! I understand Ailene. He is head of this clan. That would be difficult for any man and more so for him. I will remember."
Gideon kissed her cheek.
"I will watch out for him, I want him to be here to welcome our children into the world."
Ailene's heart filled with love for the man she lay against. God had sent this good man to be hers. He understood. She began to cry. Gideon held her to his chest as the tears fell. Cuddling her close, he comforted her.
As Ailene cried, Gideon thought about what she had told him. He was very fond of The MacGrough. The man had welcomed him as a son. Gideon vowed to care for him as he would his own father.
The problem would be doing so without Cadell realizing he was being catered to. He would not be able to confide in anyone else. This would be his worry alone. Not exactly his worry alone, Ailene would be here worrying about all of them. Gideon continued to gentle her until she fell asleep.
Over twenty days had passed when the news came. Two lads from Maldin MacFarlane, cousin to Lennox, rode into the glen. They were in a hurry to continue around the head of Loch Lomond on their way to The Gregor. In the morning the MacGrough men would leave to join The Bruce. That night Gideon and Ailene did not sleep until very late in the early morning.
On arising Ailene tried hard to keep a cheerful attitude. As she helped Gideon to gather his goods then followed him down the stairs to the hall, she was biting her lip to keep from crying. Gideon carried his things to the yard. Ailene followed him. He glanced at her, stopped then laying his pack down took her by the hand. Gideon led her a pace or two away from everyone else. He lifted her chin when she refused to look at him.
"Ailene? What are you thinking?"
"I tried. I am no able to send you awa with a cheerful face."
She was wringing her hands. His voice was soft as Gideon stared into her eyes.
"Ailene, would you have me believe you do not care?"
"Nay!"
She tried to keep from sobbing and could not do so. Gideon took her in his arms and rocked her slightly.
"I care not if you send me off cheerfully. Your heart is in your eyes Ailene and that is not wrong."
He whispered in her ear not wishing any other to hear.
"I will come back to you Ailene. That I know you want me back will only encourage me to fight harder to do so. Now, give me a kiss then let me go love."
She did as he asked. Head held high, tears streamed down her face as she watched him mount the horse she had given him. She prayed God would see fit to return her husband to her along with her father. She ran over to Cadell to give him as hug before he mounted. Then the MacGroughs were off. They rode south, to join their king.
There was only the slight creak of the leather to mark their passing as they began to climb out of the glen. All metal has been carefully wrapped with leather thongs so there would be no jingling of bridles, no noise to give them away. Gideon and Cadell rode side by side on the wide trail, which led down to the MacFarlane lands on the west side of Loch Lomond.
Gideon did not look back as they crested the first ridge. Ailene knew he would not. She watched as they rode over the ridge then disappeared down the other side. Cadell had not looked back into the glen either. One hand holding the reins, the other on his hip, Cadell did not turn his head as he spoke to the young man riding beside him.
"I ken this is difficult for both of ye."
Gideon's horse tossed its head. He reached down to pat the animal's neck.
"I knew what the bargain with the king would entail when I agreed to it. I did not know I would find Ailene. Leaving her there is the hardest thing I have ever done."
He spoke softly so the words would not reach the ears of the men riding with them. Each of them was leaving their family behind. No one needed a reminder.
They had traversed the small depression and were riding up the side of another ridge. Cadell's horse snorted at something in the brush beside the trail. He pulled up slightly on the reins. In the pale light they climbed upward.
Cadell nodded slightly.
"Aye, lad. I felt the same leaving her mother."
Gideon was silent for a moment.
"We are to gather at Kilwinning?"
"Aye. Tis near the same distance as we traveled after ye and Ailene wed."
Cadell shifted his weight slightly in the saddle.
"Ye ken I fear this wa be a long and difficult road. I dinna ken when we shall see the glen once more."
Gideon's voice was flat and his reply short.
"Aye, sir. I ken."
Cadell would have smiled at the speed with which his lad was becoming Scots if it were not for the situation they found themselves in. He wished it could have been as he had related to MacGregor, the lad and Ailene had just found one another. 'Would to God it was so!'
Resisting the urge to glance back over his shoulder, Cadell settled himself more firmly in the saddle. He knew this would not do. Regrets would not carry him through the fighting that was sure to follow. In his head he heard the skirling of the pipes. Without the support of the Comyn faction this was likely to be a long arduous campaign. It would do no good to voice his suspicions to Gideon. Cadell felt Gideon had enough to think upon as it was.
A pang of misgiving struck him. Cadell buried it. It was not the proper time to tell Gideon of his infirmity. That should have been done prior to leaving. In the beginning his reasons had been to not disturb the bairns. Gideon and Ailene had been so self absorbed, so taken with one another he had been reluctant to intrude.
'Mayhap, mayhap not.' Cadell was forced to admit to himself that as nothing had happened in a goodly while, he hoped it was over. He prayed it was done with. Were it to strike him again at the wrong time... Each man riding with him this day was confident The MacGrough would cover his back. Cadell took a deep breath and pushed it all to the back of his mind. Brooding over it would not help. They needed to get past those who opposed The Bruce and safely get to their destination. This was his duty and he must see to it.
Cadell would try to keep his little party out of sight of the MacFarlanes. They had enough trouble skirting the edges of compliance with Donnchadh's signing of the Ragman Roll and pledging fealty to Longshanks. Many who pledged fealty to the Sassenach had not held the pledge a true one in their hearts. How could one pledge fealty to Edward as 'overlord' of Scotland when it was a bald faced lie? Scotland was not and never had been a vassal state. The thought was enough to curdle Cadell's stomach.
He had avoided the entire matter by claiming that MacGrough was naught but a part of Lennox and subject to Lennox. Hiding behind Lennox had bothered him not one bit. Any sub
terfuge to avoid the situation had seemed to him acceptable at the time. That it had left the MacGroughs out of everything bothered him not. The decision had been made after a great deal of thought. Nothing, which had taken place so far, caused him to gainsay that decision.
So long as he took pains to avoid being seen by MacFarlane, they in turn could avoid seeing MacGrough. Cadell snorted. It would be much better when one could do what was honorable out in the open. He wondered how the two MacFarlane lads explained their mission notifying MacGroughs and the Gregorach that something was stirring in the south? Who knew? It was certain they had something concocted. These days all was chancery and slight of hand. It was disturbing to say the least.
His thoughts having soured his disposition, Cadell slumped in the saddle. He concentrated carefully on the terrain around him. A rock outcropping alerted him that they would now need to be very circumspect and stay out of sight. They were entering MacFarlane territory.
"Gideon."
Cadell softly called out to Gideon as he motioned the lad closer to him.
"We must stay out of sight on this errand. Pass the word, ye must be a wraith."
"Done."
Gideon dropped back slightly then quietly passed the word back.
Cadell left the main trail down Loch Lomond. They turned off on a game trail Cadell knew would take them the long way around. He searched his memory for the old landmarks. He had not taken this way since his youth. The MacGrough led his men quietly south.
Chapter 7
Ailene watched the figures top the ridge then they were gone. A short time later there were moving figures she knew must be the men, on the side of the further ridge. It took her a long time to get her sobbing under control. The other wives and unmarried girls left to go back to their cottages leaving Ailene to her self. She was standing as a statute where he had left her. Tomorrow was soon enough for her to concentrate on the keep. She knew she should be about doing for the people left in her care. Today she was not able to do so.
It was almost as if the clan was in mourning. The breeze gently blew through the glen from the coast. Something was blowing in. Likely it would rain before evening. She could not bring her feet to move. A cloud blew across the face of the sun turning the day dreary. For a moment a ray of sun lit the top of the ridge where the horsemen had disappeared. The clouds began to move in faster. The gray look of rain moving across the land finally drove her to move inside away from the threat of rain.
Ailene knew she should be ashamed of herself. Her behavior was not becoming a laird's daughter. She was sure Edeen would have something to say on the subject later. As she walked into the hall she thought about the bed upstairs. The tears threatened to begin again. Ailene stopped then took a deep breath.
"Nay."
The hall seemed empty without the bulk of the two men. Ailene went into the kitchen not expecting to see anyone. But Idelle was there. Neill's wife was directing Dallas to bring in kindling for the wood box beside the big fireplace. A pot dangled from the pothook.
"Will pottage suit ye well enough this night?"
Idelle asked Ailene as she butchered a rabbit.
Ashamed of herself, Ailene tried to answer her but found her throat all but blocked. She had to clear her throat to get any words out.
"Och, aye."
Idelle looked up at Ailene. She smiled softly.
"Go wash yer face Ailene. The first time ye have ta watch them leave is always tha worst."
Ailene ran out the back door. She collapsed on the bank of the burn where she thrust her hot face and gritty eyes into the cool water. Lifting her face she scrubbed her hands across it. If Idelle could survive it she could do so. She picked herself up from the ground then walked back into the house. Ailene sat on a stool at the big table.
"Forgive me Idelle. I dinna know what is wrong wa me!"
Ailene cried out.
"Come now lass."
Idelle finished cutting the rabbit then took the pieces over to the pot.
"How long have ye had the lad to yerself? Not nearly long enough ye ken?"
Idelle put the butchered animal into the pot. She wiped her hands on her apron and walked over to the girl.
Idelle reached out to take Ailene in an embrace. Aileen turned to press her face into Idelle's stomach.
"Whesht lass! We all ken how it is wa the twa of ye. We no hold it against ye child. Ye can be strong on the morrow, now ye are a lassie who has sent her lad to war the first time."
The rain was a soft gray mist that filled the yard outside the back door of the kitchen. Ainsley entered the kitchen from the yard. He shook the moisture from his hair and body much like one of the hounds that followed him in. Studiously ignoring the two women, the young man called the three hounds to him then went into the main hall. Ailene heard him doing something with the wood in the fireplace.
She straightened up and wiped her face on her skirt. Idelle gave her a smile then smoothed a hand down her cheek.
"Ye may as well see to the lad. I think ye need to gie him direction, mind. Ainsley is at loose ends as much as ye. He wants to go ye ken, but is too young. He feels badly."
Idelle went back to the pot to stir it.
Ailene went into the hall where she inspected the stack of wood for the fireplace. Ainsley had set a fire in the big fireplace but had yet to light it. Ailene sent him up stairs to check the wood box in her room. He scrambled off glad to have something to do. Ainsley slept in the hall, a foster son from her mother's people, he had been with them since his tenth year.
Dashing out into the rain Ainsley was calling for Boyd and Celan, the other two boys who were being fostered by Cadell. Ailene wondered if perhaps she should have Christal come and stay with her in her room but quickly decided against it. Christal was the object of Ainsley's attention lately. It would not be good if they became too close.
She chuckled at the thought. Up until her wedding night she would not have given the matter a second thought. Ailene understood a good deal more about relationships now than she had before Gideon. A picture of him to surfaced in her mind. She shook her head then went back into the kitchen.
They would light the fire in the hall for the boys later. There was no real reason to do so at the moment. Without the men there would be no big meals and no necessity to keep the hall warm and ready for them. Ailene set about making oatcakes for the lads.
That night Ailene slipped into bed thinking about Gideon and the other men as she did so. She said a prayer for them all. The rain was still falling. It would be a cold night for them out in the forest if they did not have shelter. They would be spending many a damp night in the heather and gorse.
Ailene was glad the men had the waulked plaids to cover themselves. The tales of the hardships The Bruce had already endured again came to mind. Hopefully things would be a bit better now. She wished more clans would declare themselves for the king's banner. That she could only pray for.
Something of Gideon's scent lingered on his side of the bed. Ailene moved into his space. It was cold comfort. She wanted her husband. With a sigh she curled up in the bed and tried to relive every moment of their short time together. Ailene thought about the other seventeen women who would be sending their husbands off too soon. Seventeen other women in Scotland, newly wed, might be feeling as she did now. With a sigh Ailene tried to sleep.
It was three days later when Caelan and Ainsley ran back into the glen from a hunting expedition. Wide eyed and slightly out of breath, they pointed back up the glen. Ainsley managed to gasp out that MacNabs were on their way into the glen.
Ailene ground her teeth. MacNabs were kin to Comyn and were surely seeking information. If they discovered that MacGrough supported Bruce, they would likely take that as an excuse to pillage. This was something she had expected might happen. If not the MacNabs, it would have been the MacNaughtons.
Ailene just had sufficient time to send Caelan down the glen to alert Iver, Lachlan, Hern, Reed, and Seumas to the arrival of th
eir uninvited guests. Ailene did have her bow and quiver just inside the big heavy wooden door of the keep.
The lead horseman rode his horse up and made a show of pulling it up. The animal stamped it hooves as it shook its head from side to side.
"Good day to ye! I would speak to MacGrough."
The man brought his horse under control quickly. Ailene stood on the stone step of the keep. She would not invite the man in. Ailene did not believe this young man was The MacNab.
"Good day to ye, sir. My fayther is no here. He and my husband are awa."
The young MacNab clansman eyed her carefully.
"And where might they be awa to?"
"Well sir, they are awa Glasgow way. Tis spring sir and tis time to buy and sell, ye ken?"
The young man looked around. He noted the warriors with their sword hanging down their backs and spears in hand, making their way up to the house. The five MacGrough warriors were joined by the three older men. There were four MacNabs. MacNab's animal snorted as it threw its head into the air.
"This is a friendly visit, ye ken?"
The clansman again turned his attention to Ailene.
"Och, aye. What is it ye wished to discuss with me fayther? I am chatelaine and if there be anything I may help ye with?"
Ailene continued to keep the smile on her face. The young man blurted out.
"Have ye any lambs ye wish to sell?"
Ailene laughed.
"Nay sir. We are no selling sheep at this season. In the summer we may decide to part with some muttton. Come back then and we shall see. For now we wish to increase our flock and will no be parting with tha creatures."
The clansman turned and motioned to his men to turn as well. The MacNab nodded his head.
"Good day ta ye."
He pulled his horse's head to one side and they all galloped off. They were gone but they knew her father was gone. She had mentioned a 'husband', and perhaps should not have done so. Ailene absently chewed a nail. Nothing she said would have mattered in any case. The MacGrough was not in residence and that would be enough to rouse MacNab's suspicions.
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