Blessing The Highlander

by Coulter, J. Lee

  Garrick straightened in his saddle. “Come, m’lady. Let us gather an escort and I will take ye ta meet Hagar. Twill make a pleasant ride.”

  When they reached the inner bailey, Garrick spied Malcolm exiting the blacksmith’s shop and motioned him over.

  “Aye, m’laird?”

  “Gather an escort. We go ta Hagar’s for a visit.”

  “Aye, m’laird.” He glanced at Seonaid briefly, then strode to the stable to gather some men.

  She shivered. There was something about that man that made her skin itch. Before, it was just a worrying feeling. Now that feeling had grown ominous. She felt the malice emanating from his grey eyes but could not conceive of why he felt that way toward her. She turned to Garrick.

  “Should we bring Hagar some food? You said you took a hen yesterday. Do you ken she requires more?”

  Garrick picked up his reins and steered his stallion toward the kitchen. “Tis a worthy idea, wife. Mayhap some early berries the cook located this morn.” Seonaid trailed him. Reaching the kitchen door, he dismounted his horse… disappearing inside. He re-emerged in a few moments with a basket and a jug of ale. Garrick handed the items to her, mounted, and then retrieved them once again.

  As they rode back around to where their escort was assembling, Seonaid ventured a question.

  “Have you kenned Malcolm for long?”

  He was surprised at her inquiry giving her a long stare. “Nay. He came here right after me father died with a tale of his friend being killed about the same time. He was injured so Hagar healed him and he stayed on pledging fealty ta me. Why do ye ask?”

  “Oh, tis nothing. I just get this odious sensation from him when he is near. I do nae ken why. I am doubtless being silly.”

  Garrick could not continue the exchange since they had reached the guard. He regarded her speculatively as they rode out toward Hagar’s home. King Alred had said that Seonaid had the ‘sight’. Was that what was warning her to be cautious around Malcolm? He could not be certain. He would need to heed her worries, though, since it was a possibility. He would not turn his back on Malcolm. If she is wrong then no harm would be done.

  The day was growing warm as they drew nearer to Hagar. The forest was alive with birdsong. A soft breeze rustled the oak leaves, whispering a tune of their own. Seonaid giggled as a squirrel scolded them from a branch overhead, twitching its tail irately at being disturbed from its meal. She loved the forest. It was teeming with life.

  Garrick’s heart expanded in his chest as he observed his delightful wife’s radiant face. He pointed out some baby hares as they sat on their haunches twitching their button noses at them, just to hear her squeal with delight. She was like a bairn in her joy over simple things but woman enough when it counted...in his bed. He felt his cock begin to stiffen as desire hit him… wanting only to be alone with her. He ground his teeth in frustration.

  As they neared the clearing by the small loch, Garrick gestured for his men to stand down as they rode on to the small cottage alone.

  “Hello, auld woman,” he called out. “Be ye home?”

  The door creaked as it opened, beady black eyes peeking out from the dark confines. “Depends on what ye brought me.”

  Seonaid watched as an old woman dressed in a black, loose-fitting dress hobbled out of the opening. Her hair fell in a long white braid nearly to her knees. Her darkly tanned face was covered in leathery creases, too many to count. But her eyes, black as sin, were sharp as a tack and alive with interest as she stared back at Seonaid. She knew her! She did not know how or when but she was certain she knew this woman. Startled, she looked to Garrick.

  He saw her thoughts on her face and nodded in agreement. This should be a curious visit, he thought to himself. He wondered how much Hagar would reveal to her.

  He turned his attention back to Hagar. “I have brought fresh berries, cheese and black bread baked just this morn.”

  “Tis all? I am nae home for such paltry crumbs,” she scoffed at him.

  “True enough, auld woman. But I, likewise, have brought me lady wife for good company and...ah, here tis,” he said rummaging in the basket. He drew out the jug of ale. “Certainly ye are home for this?”

  Her eyes gleamed with humor. “Aye, ye ken me well, boy.”

  Seonaid bit back her smile as she observed the affection they held for one another, then choked on the show of disrespect Hagar displayed when she called her husband ‘boy’.

  “Well, where are your manners, boy? Get your poor wife out of this heat!”

  He grinned broadly as he dismounted then lifted Seonaid out of her saddle. He stood her before him grasping her waist until she could stand on her own. With a look, she let him know that she was steadied and he, reluctantly, released her. She followed the old woman into the cottage while Garrick watered and tied off their mounts.

  Seonaid poured two cups of ale and sat at the table across from Hagar, handing one to her. “Thank ye, lass.” She raised a white brow saying, “That nae be for ye, is it?”

  She shook her head. “Nay. I do nae care for it.”

  “Your husband treats ye well? Tell me true. I nae be too auld ta clout his ears if he does nae!”

  Seonaid laughed. Hagar would need a stool to stand on to reach Garrick’s ears and the image in her mind was hilarious. “There is nae need.” Her face softened. “He is wonderful to me. I could nae ask for a better husband.”

  “Ye love him. That is good. Ye two have a strong bond ta hold ye together. Do ye trust him?”

  Her eyes darted to Hagar. The thought had not crossed her mind. She considered the question. “I have nae thought about it. I would have to say ‘aye’ cause I have never thought nae to trust him.”

  Hagar grunted.

  Garrick came in just then and sat down as Seonaid handed him his ale. He thanked her then noticed that she had no beverage.

  “Are ye nae thirsty, lass?”

  “You ken that I do nae care for ale.”

  “Aye. That is why I brought some goat’s milk. Ye will have some?”

  She bobbed her head. She did not understand why her husband kept pouring milk down her throat. He knew that she liked honey wine...or water, even, was preferable.

  “Nay, lass. Ye need milk nae wine right now,” Hagar said without thought.

  Her mouth gaped open as her eyes widened in shock.

  “And before ye insult me...nay, I am nae witch. I can hear your thoughts just as ye and Garrick hear each other. Tis a rare gift… or curse. Depends on how ye think of it.” She cackled.

  Seonaid glanced at Garrick to find him studying her. “Ye still hear my thoughts?”

  “Nay, nae as often. But I have been attempting nae to do so. Mayhap I have succeeded to listen only when it will nae intrude on ye.” He shrugged.

  Seonaid looked back to Hagar. “Why do I need to be drinking milk?”

  “Because ye carry the Brodie heir in your womb,” she stated pragmatically.

  Seonaid collapsed as the room spun around her. Garrick leapt up… steadying her in his arms.

  When she found her voice she asked a bit hysterically, “How do you ken this?”

  Hagar tapped her temple, “I have the ‘sight’, ye ken? Tis true. Ye conceived the first time ye kenned your husband. Tis nae uncommon.” She shrugged.

  “Kenning it so soon is!”

  She grinned. “Tis a gift!”

  Garrick gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. She looked into his cerulean eyes and saw… love. She did not imagine it this time. It was definitely there before her. He stroked her cheek and she was lost. Her arms went around his neck as he took her onto his lap and held her. She gazed up to his handsome face framed in silky black hair and asked, “Is this why ye brought me here? Were ye afraid that I might harm the bairn?”

  “Nay, mo gradh. I brought ye here because Hagar birthed ye. She kenned your maither. I thought ye might like ta ken of her.”

  “Truly? Ye kenned my maither?”

&nb
sp; “Aye. But for only a few seasons. She was mistress for a very short time. Ask me your questions and I will tell ye what I am able.”

  “I do nae ken what to ask.” She studied her hands dejectedly. “Even if I had my memories, I still would nae ken her.” Garrick took her delicate hand in his and gave a sympathetic squeeze. “What did she look like?” she finally asked.

  Hagar contemplated Seonaid’s face then gave a brisk nod. “Look at your own reflection and ye see your mother.” She had hobbled to her trunk retrieving something as she answered. She sat back down heavily and held out her hand. “Take this,” she said as she handed her a locket on a gold chain. “Twas Corinne’s and it holds a lock of her hair. Mayhap ye have enough sight ta actually see her through touching this.”

  Seonaid warily took the intricately etched locket into her quivering hand. For a moment, she admired the gold heart. As she held it, the locket began to glow and grew warm in her hand. The room around her vanished.

  She stood alone in a small glade. To her right was a burn that fled into the thickets as it escaped from a small pool behind her. A cascade of snow melt dove into the pool, replenishing the lost moisture from a knoll covered with moss and thick ferns. The forest surrounding her was thick with oak and fir all but cutting off the light from the sun. Where was she?

  As she watched the scene before her unfold, a young woman stepped through the brush. For a moment, Seonaid thought that it was herself… but knew that was not possible. This woman was older and very pregnant. Tears began to fill her eyes as she watched her mother standing by the water. She looked miserable. Was she unhappy about the child she was soon to birth?

  The air behind her mother began to swirl just then. Wavering… like from the heat of a fire. Within a snap of her finger, a man materialized. Her heart began to pound in her breast as she recognized him. It was the man in her vision! The one that struck Garrick down! He wore a mauve tunic and had leggings of soft tan. There was a gold chain belt around his trim girth and a thin band of gold circled his crown. He was younger than in her vision, but it was him.

  She observed as he seized her mother in his arms spreading his hands over her swelled abdomen, smiling a dazzling smile as he felt the child kick. “Our daughter grows strong.”

  Corinne placed her hands over his. “Aye Alred.” A tear trickled down her cheek. She could not face him as she uttered the words that were tearing her apart. “I have come here to ask a great promise of ye.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Anything, my love. Have I not already given you to a mortal man when you refused to be my queen?”

  “Aye,” she sobbed. “But what I ask of ye now is so much more. I want your vow… that…that ye will never let our daughter ken ye. She must never ken that ye are Fae… or that ye be her… father. I would wish it that she never sees ye at all!”

  The king was incredulous. She saw raw agony flash across his perfect face… then anger...and finally… loss. In a gravelly voice he asked, “Why Corinne? Why do you deny me even the smallest amount of happiness? I have given you everything you have asked for...even your mortality. Now you would deny me the right to know my own child?”

  She looked into his handsome face, her eyes filled with remorse and spoke softly. “I do nae ask this of ye to hurt ye. I think only of our daughter’s happiness. Twould be best if she sees my husband as her father. Kenning her Fae side can only bring misery. She would be called ‘witch’ and killed by frightened people. Even if ye appeared to her as a man, she would ken ye are Fae.”

  Alred stared at the woman he treasured. Twas too much! She asked him to deny his own flesh! He could not believe that she requested him to do this. His heart ripped in two as he resolutely agreed to her entreaty. “Will you grant me one appeal since I have had all joy taken from me?”

  “If I can,” she choked.

  “Tis not much,” he replied bitterly. “I ask that you name her Seonaid,” he paused until she nodded agreement. “And I want to visit her during her first year of life. There can be no harm in that.” He choked on a sob. “She will not remember me from that age.”

  “Aye, my love, that I will grant ye.” She reached up to stroke his strong jaw. He jerked back from her caress. Corinne sighed. Accepting his rejection, she turned and disappeared into the thicket.

  Seonaid watched, stunned, as she saw her true father crumple to his knees on the mossy forest floor. His face was buried in his hands as heart-rending sobs escaped him. Tears streamed down her face as she stepped toward him, forgetting that she was only an observer of times past. She reached out… touching his shoulder consolingly. “Father?”

  He looked up, not seeing her… but he felt her presence, heard her voice on the soft breeze, like a promise. He smiled through his pain. “Aye, daughter, she will not keep us apart forever.” His form dissolved before her eyes and she was alone.

  “What did ye do ta her, auld woman?”

  “I did naught! Twas the locket! I saw nae harm in it.”

  “Nae harm? Look at her! She lay insensible for more than an hour! And she weeps! She is grieving, auld woman. What did she see?” Garrick thrust his fingers through his hair frustrated with his powerlessness. He could feel her pain and it was tearing him apart.

  Hagar turned a sly look at him and said, “Why do nae ye hold her and see for yourself?”

  He turned deliberately. Why not? Twas a good time to test their bond. He sat on the edge of the straw-filled pallet and held Seonaid in his arms. He emptied his mind of all thought… focusing on reaching Seonaid, probing at the images that flashed through until he found her.

  She was standing alone, weeping quietly in a forest glen. “Seonaid? Mo cridhe, why are ye so sad?”

  His deep voice rumbled through her. She glanced around frantically until she saw him a few yards away and ran into his open arms. “I do nae ken how to get back to you,” she sniffled into his tunic as she clutched him to her. “I thought I had lost you.”

  “Nay, me love. Ye will never be unable ta find me. We are one...two halves of a whole. We will always be together. Now, I want ye ta focus on Hagar’s cottage. Block out all that surrounds ye here except for me and Hagar’s home. Can ye see the room, lass?”

  “Nay!”

  Garrick thought for a moment. “Try ta focus on me holding ye in me arms then. Can ye feel the warmth?”

  “I can feel a tingling...like I always do when you embrace me.”

  That is when he grasped that there was only one way to make her mind go blank. He tipped up her chin giving her little butterfly kisses on her quivering lips. She moaned. He curled his hand at the nape of her neck as he engaged a more forceful, arduous kiss on her soft lips. Garrick sensed her surrender as she melted into him, leaving her mind blank but for the sensations. When their lips parted they heard Hagar cackling on the far side of the room.

  “We are back!” Seonaid exclaimed. She looked at her husband in awe. “There is much power between us! I shall remember this lesson.” Her green eyes sparkled with little specks of gold as she turned her enamored gaze to meet her husband’s. “What happened? Was I having another vision? Twas not like the one I had before.”

  Garrick turned his eyes to Hagar raising a brow in question. “Aye, auld woman, why do nae ye tell us both what just occurred?

  Hagar shrugged her boney shoulders looking nonchalant. “Twas nothing. Just a moment in time that was imprinted on the locket. It should nae have guided her there...twas supposed ta merely flash a glance of her maither.”

  Seonaid shook her head as she remembered what she experienced. “Nay. I was drawn into it with a fierce power! One instant I was here and the next...there.”

  “It should nae be so. He told me...” She hastily shielded her mouth, looking away.

  Garrick had heard her though. He jumped up and stood before her irately growling, “Who told ye, auld woman? Where, precisely did ye acquire that locket?”

  Looking bewildered, Hagar shrugged again. “I can nae tell ye until I
ken your lass’s revelation.”

  Garrick’s anger rose as he glowered at his old nursemaid. She was being difficult yet again. She returned his glare with a defiant glance of her own. He took a deep breath to unleash his ire against her when he heard Seonaid whisper, “I saw my father.”

  “Ye saw Seamus?”

  “Nay, twas nae Seamus. This man was King of the Fae.” Her eyes darted to Garrick, apprehension written all over her face. “I will understand if you wish to put me aside, husband. You will nae desire a Fae for a consort.” He looked so angry! She had always thought that love could withstand anything… but apparently not this. She hung her head in humiliation. This memory loss was beginning to drain her strength… her emotions soaring from one extreme to another. After a moment of silence, she felt his warm hands on her shoulders as he lifted her to her feet, drawing her into his arms.

  “Do ye think so little of me, wife, that I would let ye go for any reason...let alone something as wee as your ancestry?”

  She inhaled deeply of his scent, leather and pine...and him. “But you appeared so angry.”

  He clasped her nearer to him. “Nae at ye, mo gradh. Never at ye,” he murmured breathlessly. “Ye must learn ta trust in me affection for ye. It will nae fail.” He turned his gaze to Hagar, “Well, auld woman?”

  She gave a brusque nod, satisfied. “The King paid me a visit a few days back. Twas afore ye brought your lass home. He brought the locket and asked me ta give it ta her, explaining that she may possibly see her maither with it. He said nothing about it revealing her da! It has Fae magic but I did nae think it was so strong.” She paused. “I do nae understand why he would do such a thing after staying away all these years. He stopped visiting ye when ye reached your first year.”

  Seonaid spoke up then. “I ken why. Twas in the reminiscence he presented me.” She glanced from Garrick to Hagar. “She was so cruel to him! He loved her and she turned her back on him and all that he offered. Then as a final blow, she had him vow to give me up! To never be a part of my life! How could she request such a thing?” She turned her eyes to Garrick awash with fresh tears. “Ye should have seen his agony after she left! Twas wrong of her to punish him so just because he loved her. He was on his knees...sobbing. I have never seen such anguish!”